The Kiss

"...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

  

    I smell the coffee...you must have know I was coming.  How fun!

  I recently gave my granddaughter a book entitled Won't You Be My Kiss-a-roo?  Throughout this wonderful book, various animals are portrayed in a mother-child relationship giving each other special kisses.  Oh, there is the morning kiss, the goodnight kiss, and the healing kiss of a hurt, the surprise kiss, even the sticky kiss of a butter/honey sandwich.  I love reading the book to Hannah and giving her the kisses as we read each page.  We have a sweet time together.

  There is another story of a kiss I find most precious.  It is one of my favorites and is found in Luke 15:11-24 where Jesus is telling a parable of the prodigal son.  I know you are familiar with it.  Would you let me tell my version of the story?

  The young man has had a glimpse of the world and begins to imagine all that he could do if he was just able to leave home and seek all that he believes to be good and satisfying.  Day in and day out he dreams of leaving his father - and the daily grind of farming and ranching - and venturing off to the far country.  Finally, one day, he gains the courage to ask his father for his inheritance early and his father begrudgingly grants his son's request.  The son heads out the next day for the far country to seek the pleasures he has dreamed about for so long.

  Well, you all know what happens.  The son spends all his money in "riotous living", loses the "friends" he had acquired, and finds himself feeding pigs.  Not only does he feed the pigs; he eats the dinner served the pigs!  What a change from the lifestyle he knew at his father's house.

  After some time the son realizes that even the servants at his father's house have a place to sleep and food to eat.  Why, surely he could also be a servant at his father's house.  So, he decides to travel home.  As he begins the journey, the realization of all his wrongdoings begins to sink in - how he must have grieved his father, how much pain he has caused to his family.  He knows he must ask for his father's forgiveness.    Meanwhile, day after day, the father sits on the front porch in his rocker, watching for any sign of his son.  He finds himself looking hard and long down the dusty road, yearning to catch a glimpse of the son he lost so long ago.  Then, one day ... could it be?  Could this man be my son returning home?  As his heart begins to race in his chest, the father jumps off the porch, runs down the long dusty road, his eyes transfixed on one sight -- his long lost son.  Before the son can even open his mouth to confess all that he has done wrong and ask for forgiveness, his father has embraced him and given him a kiss -- a kiss of forgiveness and restoration, a kiss of love, a kiss of welcoming home.  I love that!  What a glorious picture of our Heavenly Father!

  Oh, the kisses our Father gives to each one of us.  The kiss of His love through Jesus.  An early morning kiss of a most beautiful sunrise.  The sweet kiss of family.  The kiss that heals a hurting heart.  The kiss of encouragement.  Try not to overlook the many kisses we receive from our loving Father.  Notice them.  Cherish them.  You will find them in the reading of the Word, in creation, in your prayer time or with a loved one or friend.

  He is longing to give you His kiss today.  Receive it and thank Him for it.  A sweet kiss you will not forget.  Oh, the love the Father has for you!  We have a most wonderful Heavenly Father  I love sharing my thoughts and spending time with you.

  Always keep some coffee on the shelf.  I'll be back soon for another short visit.