“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”Luke 15:20 (KJV)
The most famous homecoming in Scripture, and the detail most people miss: the father was already running before a word of apology was spoken.
The son had a speech prepared. He never got to finish it. The father saw him a great way off, which means the father had been watching that road, and he ran, which in that culture was undignified for a man of standing.
Notice what did not happen. No interrogation. No probation. No lecture about the wasted money. The embrace came before the explanation.
If you have been rehearsing a speech before you feel able to come back to God, you can stop. Turn toward home. He has been watching that road.
Father, I have been away and I have rehearsed my excuses. I turn toward home now. Thank You for running to meet me. Amen.
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