There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, âFather, give me my share of the estate.â So he divided his property between them.
âNot long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
“So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him
to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods
that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
âWhen he came to his senses, he said, âHow many of my fatherâs hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.â
“So he got up and went to his father.
âBut 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.
âThe son said to him, âFather, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.â
âBut the father said to his servants, âQuick! 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. Letâs have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.â So they began to celebrate.
No blame. No shame.
No questions asked.
âMeanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
âYour brother has come,â he replied, âand your father has
killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.â
âThe older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, âLook! All these years Iâve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!â
ââMy son,â the father said, âyou are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.ââ Luke 15:11-32, NIV
He’s back! And that’s all that matters.
Women make a lot of assumptionsÂ