¹¹ And He said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his  wealth between them. ¹³ And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. ¹⁴ Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. ¹⁷ But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ ²⁰ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and  embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; ²³ and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. ²⁹ But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ³⁰ but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your  wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” Luke 15:11-32

These words of scripture have saturated my heart lately. They are familiar verses, and I have been a prodigal child at one time in life. Since that was the perspective I had always read these verses, it surprised me when God focused on the older son this time.

Our youngest son recently moved home. As we talked about the transition and expectations that came along with him moving home, there was also other conversation acknowledging what it meant for him to live here.

Since he lives here he has access to most of the space, food in the refrigerator, and there is a room for him. The benefits of being here, come with being our son. When our other son comes home, he receives the same benefits. We have friends that have become family. They are no longer just guests, but have come into the family. When they come over they are extended those benefits as well.

The older brother had lived at home all those years, and yet he did not seem to understand the benefits available to him in His Father’s house.

I have been pondering that thought for weeks. I am a child of God. Everything He has is mine. Do I truly know and believe that, and do I partake of what is available to me?

Am I too busy looking at others, wishing I had what they were being given? Do I get frustrated because I have been trying to live in obedience to God, and somehow I do not see the blessings or rewards from it?

I don’t like to admit it but I have been guilty of that attitude.

I am a child of God. a daughter on the One True King. I am Princess! I have a room in my Father’s House. He has provided everything I need and some of what I want. :). I live in abundance.

However, if you listen to my grumbling and complaining some days, you sure wouldn’t know it.

My Father is there to talk with me at any time. He is always available to me. When I am hungry and thirsty, He has all that I need. He has empowered me with His Holy spirit and He has given me an armor for protection. When I need rest and shelter, He has provided all of that. He has given me a peace that you can’t find anywhere else, a joy that is unspeakable and is my strength and the list goes on.

No matter what season I am living in, this is the truth.

This is the truth for me, and it is the truth for you. How can we live this way today? In this hard season?

How do we live this in the world we live in?

There are prodigals and lost ones all around us. How can we be the reminder of what is awaiting them in the Father’s house?

I want to live in such a way, where my words, my attitudes, my abundant living reminds others that they don’t have to live in the pig pen anymore. I want them to be encouraged that there is something more to life than what they are settling for, and I want to be living proof that there is hope in the midst of the devastation around us.

Let’s not forget what we have been given and let this scripture be a reminder that all our Father has is ours and let’s begin to live that way, so others may be know and be drawn back home.