ohn and Helen love dogs and cats. Walking down the aisles of the local animal shelter, looking in all the cages for just the right dog, a golden-colored boxer named Sandy, not quite a year old, greeted them with enthusiasm and barked, “Take me home!” They did. Who could resist those loving eyes and that wiggly body?
 
Sandy loved her new home. She pranced about the house, wanting to play and have attention. Even more, she loved the big fenced-in back yard.

John and Helen picked up Sandy on a Friday night. Monday morning came, they needed to go to their jobs, and Sandy was not ready to be left in the house – she could be a little destructive, and she and Midnight, the cat, were not yet on the best of terms. To the yard she went on a nice spring day.

When John arrived home, he went to the back door to let Sandy in the house. But Sandy was gone. She had dug a hole under the fence and left to investigate the neighborhood. Cruising the area, John found her and brought her home.

The next day when John arrived home, she was gone again. This time she managed to unlatch the gate. John found her again and brought her home.

The next morning, John bought a long leash and tied her to the patio. But when he arrived home, she was gone again. Sandy chewed through the leash and ran away again.

Even when we run from God, he welcomes us with open arms and forgiveness.

Sandy reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke, chapter fifteen. He took his inheritance and left home to live the high life. Soon his money was gone and so were his friends. Feeding pigs one morning, and also eating their food, he decided he was a fool and should return home. To his amazement when he arrived home, his father was waiting for him and took him into his open arms.

What a beautiful picture this parable presents: even when we run away from God, our heavenly Father, he always waits for us to return to him and welcomes us with open arms and forgiveness.

John and Helen returned Sandy to the animal shelter because she would not obey. I’m thankful God has more patience when we stray. 

Maybe you have wandered away from God. He is waiting for your return. Why not rush into his arms and accept his forgiveness?

2 Corinthians 6:18 - “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”