A Son Comes Home:
This week we’ve been reminded of a story which we heard some years ago, and feel it could be relevant for someone today.
A friend happened to be sitting in a railroad coach next to a young man who was obviously depressed.
Finally the young man revealed that he was a paroled convict returning from a distant prison.
His imprisonment had brought shame to his family, and they had neither visited him nor written often.
He hoped, however, that this was only because they were too poor to travel and too uneducated to write.
He hoped, despite the evidence, that they had forgiven him.
All the same, to make it easy for them, he had written to them asking that they put up a signal for him when the train passed their little farm on the outskirts of town.
If his family had forgiven him, they were to put up a white ribbon in the big apple tree which stood near the tracks.
If they didn’t want him to return, they were to do nothing, and he would remain on the train as it travelled onward.
Anyhow, as the train neared his hometown, the suspense became so great that he couldn’t bear to look out of his window.
He exclaimed, “In just five minutes the engineer will sound the whistle indicating our approach to the long bend which opens into the valley I know as home. Will you watch for the apple tree at the side of the track?”
His companion said he would; they exchanged places.
The minutes seemed like hours, but then there came the shrill sound of the train whistle.
The young man asked, “Can you see the tree? Is there a white ribbon?”
Came the reply, “I see the tree. I see not one white ribbon, but many. There is a white ribbon on every branch. Son, someone surely does love you.”
Friends, one of the things we can learn from this short story – which is absolutely vital to knowing and accepting forgiveness, and having the willingness to forgive others – is recognising – as God, our heavenly Father forgives us, He frees us from the discomfort of chewing-over the mistakes of our past, and clears away the obstructions that make it difficult to move forward.
In short, He forgives our sins – every one!
In truth, God makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet.
Okay, no man can run from his own story!
But as the psalmist declares, God is sheer mercy and grace.
Sure-enough, if grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking!
God doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins.
Now listen:, let us inhabit the place called Forward; knowing that God already knows our future, and has given us a new out-look for every day.
Yes, that’s right!
So, encounter His love today.
Oh, how He loves us so!
Amen? Amen!
Have a great week,
David Prince: Full-time Husband To Rachel – Writer Of Stuff – Receiver Of Grace – Drinker Of Tea – & Hearty Neighbour.
Committed to loving God and loving people.
If this message has encouraged you in your own spiritual journey, please click the recommend button found before this post.
E-mail david@newday-prince.me.uk.
References:
Short story from a 1961 Reader’s Digest article.
Psalm 103:8
Psalm 103:10
Psalm 103:11
Psalm 103:12
The Message.
New International Version.
“If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking!” From the worship song “He Loves Us” – sung by Kim Walker, original lyrics by John McMillan.