Heidi's Telling

I read two pages of Heidi to my young grandsons tonight. Their mama had the page marked where I was to resume. It was the part where Heidi returns to Grandfather. She told him how the grandmother had said that when people abandon God He leaves them to themselves and the consequences of a life lived apart from Him.

Grandfather assumed that once you turned your back on God you could not go back. Heidi assured him that not only did the grandmother say that wasn't true, but she herself recalled a story she used to read about a son who ran from his father's house only to experience that life without him was nothing but empty sorrow, and so returned to his father. His return was celebrated with feasting and great joy. If that son, upon returning to his father, was met with not merely acceptance but welcomed with celebration, then how much more could a son of God return to Him as well. And with great celebration!

It is actually a beautiful telling. I was a bit teary when the crusty old grandfather sneaked up into Heidi's room after she had been tucked into bed. He looked at her innocence and saw "something he liked". After looking long, he knelt before the Lord, acknowledged his sin, and asked to be not only forgiven, but received once again. And two big tears spilled onto his cheeks.

He had come back home. Home to Father's house. And he had been welcomed.

I was so glad to read Heidi to my little grandsons tonight. May they always know that one can return to Father to find open arms of love, waiting to celebrate their return.