It was just about dawn when dad woke up. As he lay on his bed wriggling his toes, he stared at the ceiling, wondering what this new day may bring. "The chickens are starting to lay their eggs, we better fix the chicken coop today." he thought, as he slowly got up and out of his bed. He stretched his body and almost automatically, he walked to the window, towards the telescope that has been stationed there for a long time now. "What will this new day bring," dad mused as he peered through the telescope. He noticed the sun was starting to come up over the olive trees near the gates, birds were flitting through the trees. He was just about to straighten his body when he stiffened. He had noticed a speck appearing at the end of the road that leads to his estate. He quickly rubbed his eyes as he fiddled with the telescope, trying to get a sharper focus on the speck. "Is it moving? Could be the neighbour's goat again." His heart started fluttering as he slowly observed the shape getting bigger on his lens. "It's too tall for a goat," he muttered, "Who is coming so early in the morning?"
The shape continued getting bigger as it got nearer to his estate. Then dad knew, in his heart, way before his eyes confirmed it, that it was Bob. Bob has come back. With trembling hands, he reached for his outer coat and wrapped it around his shoulders and opened the front door. He almost stumbled over the front porch in his eagerness to walk to the front gate. The sun is shining warmly as he strides along, all the while fixing his eyes on the shape that is beyond his gate. He reached the gates before Bob did, for Bob was a long way away, and dad's telescope was pretty powerful, so he saw Bob before Bob knew he was seen.
Dad started running towards Bob, his heart overjoyed to see his son once again. He can't believe that it's really Bob, true, he is thinner than before, but it's Bob! Tears came into his eyes as he gazed upon his son, as he continued running to cover the distance separating them. Bob had also seen his dad opening the gates and walking towards him. When Bob saw his dad started running, his steps faltered, unsure what his dad was going to do to him. He started gathering up courage to talk to his dad, to say sorry for all the hurtful things he said before, the pain he saw in his dad's eyes when he left the house. It seemed so long ago.
"Dad," Bob stammered, "I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son"... that was all he could say before his dad reached him and gave him a bear hug! His dad kissed him on both cheeks as tears ran down his face. Bob had tears in his eyes too as he hugged his dad. Then they started talking non-stop, Bob trying to say sorry, and his dad trying to ask how he was. They had started walking back to the main house and as soon as his dad saw a servant, he quickly told the servant, "Quick, bring the best robe and put it on Bob. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. The fattened calf? slaughter it, cos we're going to have a party!" dad beamed. "This son of mine was dead and is alive again: He was lost and is found." Bring out the best wine, sharpen the carving knife, decorate the hall, call the musicians, it's party time! Yeah.. partaaaayyyyyyyyy... but this time the theme wasn't sex & booze, but instead forgiveness & love, and what a great party this is going to be.
There are so many lessons and significant moments in this part of the story and they each blow my mind. First, the hope the dad has that Bob will return, waiting day by day for the son's return, just as how God waits for us to come back to him. Secondly, the love dad had for Bob, in running towards his son. Fathers/parents do not run to their children, it's the other way round, ooo.. this dad is unpredictable, just like our Father God. We expect a big stick when we do wrong, He gives us a hug instead.. tears in my eyes, and my heart when I think of God's love.
The garments also symbolise many things. The robe signifies honour, something that you adorn honoured guests. Bob did wrong but dad welcomed him back as a honoured guest. The ring signifies that Bob belongs to dad's family, his house, that sense of belonging that dad gave Bob. The sandals on Bob's feet signifies that he is welcomed as a son, not a slave. Remember Bob wanted to return as a servant, but his dad welcomed him home as a son.
So.. the party is in full swing, it's happening, and swinging man! Nobody saw a shadow crossed the threshold of the front door and suddenly, BANG! Everyone jumped out of their recliners.
To be continued...
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