A Canadian boy ran away from his home. I often wonder what made him do it, for he had a loving father and mother who cared for him and looked after him well.
But Jack wanted his own way, so one day he slipped out of the house when no one was about. He took his savings from his money box, and replaced the money with stones, so that it should not be noticed he had emptied the box.
He went to the river, and finding a boat anchored there, he jumped in and rowed to the other side. In his hurry he did not secure the boat properly, and he left a jacket in it. He then bought a ticket to a place some distance away, and gradually made his way to the American border.
Can you imagine the anxiety of his parents when he did not return, and when later the boat was discovered with the telltale jacket lying in the bottom? They feared he had fallen into the river and every yard was dredged in an effort to find his body.
Four days passed and he was given up for dead. Oh! the sorrow in that home, caused by a thoughtless boy going his own way, and seeking his own pleasure! And there is sure to be trouble and sorrow as a result of taking our own way. All this Jack found out, not only for himself, but it brought anxiety and distress to those who loved him most.
Just as the heartbroken parents had given up all hope of finding their boy, a phone message was received from the frontier guards at the American town where he had gone. Jack had been stopped as he was trying to get into the States. He had no identification card with him, and when he was questioned the truth had to come out.
Who can describe the joy of those parents when they heard the good news that their son, whom they feared was dead, was alive; the lost one had been found! How they longed to see their boy again!
When he arrived back a loving welcome was given him. No mention was made of his sin in running away from home. When they were all seated at the table to partake of their first meal together after Jack’s return, the father as his custom was, asked God’s blessing and in simple words thanked Him for His love and mercy in restoring their son to them. Mother could not refrain from crying, and Jack’s eyes too filled with tears. It was then that Jack learned for the first time what his sin had cost his parents and how dearly they loved him. His sorrow and repentance were very real, and before the meal was begun he knew he had his parents’ forgiveness.
This story reminds me how God receives back the wandering one to Himself. If you read the 15th chapter of Luke you will find a beautiful story there of the way God welcomes the returning prodigal. We are told too of the joy in heaven over one repenting sinner.
“There is joy in heaven tonight,
And the angels all look on,
For it is not theirs that deep delight,
Though their praise swells loud at the glorious sight
Of another repentant one.”
Dear young reader, has there been joy in heaven over you? Have you repented of your sins and returned to the Lord. We were all prodigals once, for “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).
ML 06/11/1961