The Haven

The Forgiving Father
By Jessica Wilkinson

Ashamed, I tried to hide from Him, but He sought me out. As I fell to my knees before Him, I wished that the ground might swallow me up, rather than have Him see me in this state. A ragamuffin, covered in grime, snarled hair, and torn rags for clothing - what business did I have standing before the King? He reached out His hand to touch me, and I jerked away. His voice was sad but kind as he said, "Trust me, Child."

"I cannot. I have trusted others before and have been hurt and used. I cannot allow myself to be hurt again."

"Trust me, Child." Gently and patiently he again reached out His hand. My muscles tensed, waiting for the pain that was sure to come from allowing someone near. Instead of pain however, His touch brought healing. As soon as He touched me, wounds that I had carried deep inside myself began to heal. His fingers cupped my chin and raised my face to meet his gaze. He stood there, taking in my condition, from the streaks where tears had washed the dirt from my face, to the clumsy patches with which I had tried to repair my garment. Though He saw it all, in His eyes was no condemnation. There was only great compassion and love.

Tenderly, he wiped the dirt from my face, and combed the tangles from my hair. He took my torn rags from me and replaced them with a shining white gown. As I gazed into the mirror that He placed before me, I was stunned by the changes that I saw. It was like a whole new person was staring back at me. Indescribable joy filled my heart, and I began to laugh and sing as I was overcome with love for this One who had given me new life. Feeling light and free, I began to run and skip for the sheer pleasure of it all.

It was then that I saw it - the puddle where I had once played. Inexplicably, I was drawn to it, as a child to a forbidden piece of candy. At first, I just walked around it, then gingerly touched it with my toe. Before long, I was jumping and splashing away. Though I had not intended it, I was soon covered in mud again. My beautiful new gown looked as though it would never be the same. Desperately, I tried to wash it out, but the stains only spread. Deep anguish washed over me, as I realized what I had done - what I had thrown away.

As I sat there sobbing, drowning in regret, He again appeared before me. Once again, He reached out His hand and touched my shoulder. Looking up at him through my tears, I cried out, "I'm so sorry! I never intended for this to happen! I thought I would be okay. I know now that I should never have left your side! I have failed you, and now I wouldn't blame you if you just cast me aside and went on your way."

To my surprise, He looked on me with the same compassion I had seen before, and again, he tenderly began to wipe the dirt from my face. He gave me a new gown, and restored me to my former beauty. When He saw my surprise, He smiled. "Child, don't you know that I will always love you, and never give up on you? I want you to have this peace and joy forever. As long as you stay with me, your beauty and happiness will remain. If you wander away, you will inevitably find yourself covered in filth. By doing this, you cause yourself pain, which saddens me. But you need only come to me to find restoration. You are my child, and I love you. Could a loving father do any less?"

 

© Copyright 2001 Jessica Wilkinson