The Rest of the Father's Story

The Gap

C-reak… c-reak…b-ack and forth…

Across the old wooden porch the rocker moved rhythmically

Like a heartbeat.

There He sat deep in thought.

His eyes scanned the horizon one more time.

It had been years now, but still every day He watched.

He remembered all too well that last good-bye—

A stiff hug, guarded eyes, blue jeans and a backpack.

Those steel-toed work boots sauntered down the road and he never looked back.

The Father watched him, painfully, fade into the distance.

 

 “… the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country

and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15:13

 

And now… there’s a gap, maybe years between this day and the day the son will come home. This (Luke 15:11-32) is an earthly story Jesus told about an earthly father, but it’s really about a heavenly Father, the best Father ever. This Father is full of kindness and compassion, and also full of power to open blind eyes and deaf ears, to totally heal and deliver sick, demon-tormented children and to raise sons and daughters from the dead. Have you ever thought about what such a powerful Father would be doing in the gap? He does give us free will, but with more of a burning desire for reconciliation with our children than we have, and with all the power to bring it about, would He just be waiting? Sometimes when it seems my prayers have long gone unanswered I am tempted to think He’s just sitting there, like this father waiting in his rocker. But I believe there’s way more to the story that we just don’t see. Maybe it goes like this…

 

“The day you left I followed you

And each day since, I’ve watched you too.

I’ve stayed in hiding, for you see

You’ve made it clear you want to leave.

But every day I’ve sent you gifts

Sunshine, flowers, things to lift

Your eyes, in hopes you’ll realize

They come from Me.”

 

“That friend you met in the coffee shop

I sent her there with My words to plop

Into your heart to tell you that

I’m here.”

 

“That day your car ran out of gas--

That was Me. I knew that then you’d ask

Me to help and then I would,

And maybe you’d believe you could

Come home.”

 

“Remember that day you got real high

You collapsed in the dirt, left to die.

I sent that man who carried you

All the way to his car and then drove you too

To where you could get the help you needed.

And through the doctor’s words I pleaded

With you to stop the things that destroy your life

And come to Me.”

 

“You know that verse that runs through your mind

The one you learned way back in time.

You wonder why you can’t forget

It’s ‘cause I keep on whispering it,

Knowing it’s alive with power

To set you free.”

 

“And though you’re far away from home

You are never all alone.

I hear your mother’s every cry

And she, My bride, I’ll not deny.

I share her love for you, My Child.

I’m not a mouse, I’m roaring wild

And strong and able, and mighty to save.

I’m after your heart.

So go ahead and try to run away…

I’m not afraid—I know how to save

You.”

 

“I’ll not give up. I’m on your case.

Wherever you run, I’m gonna chase

You down, because I love you

And My love always hears your cries.”

 

 

“So he got up and went to his father.

     “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

     “The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

     “But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:20-24(NIV)

 

 Jesus wrote into this story a very happy ending, because He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV). And He doesn’t wait for the lost to find themselves. He goes and finds them.