What Matters After All

There has been a lot on my mind in 2012 and most of it as you know has to do with my son and the thousands of kids in our country and beyond who are fighting cancer. There is not a day that goes by that I don't say the word cancer because it is a huge part of my life now. This week however something else seemed to began to fill my thoughts and as I spoke with a few people about the matter I had to ask myself what do I truly feel about that? This hot topic can be such a sensetive subject that I don't even want to say what it is exactly but what I will say it is important because it is happening and will continue to happen. What I decided to do is read the story of the Prodigal Son in the bible as told by Jesus. Even if you don't read the bible or think it is true, this story gets to the heart of the matter for all mankind on just about every level. Please read and put yourself if his shoes and then decide whether or not you could also play the part of the son's father when you are faced with difficult people.

The Prodigal Son

And He said, "A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

Jesus told this story because he wanted to show people how deep God's love was for his children. He wanted the spiritual leaders of the time to realize that the people that he surrounded himself with needed this love like a sick person needs medicine. The tax collectors and prostitutes that Jesus befriended were looked down upon by the religious authorities and Jesus wanted to open their eyes. These Pharisees and spiritual leaders who have always obeyed God's written laws were acting like the Prodigal son's brother.

"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'" 

This father was so happy for his son, althought losing everything he had been given as an inheritance, was still alive. The big brother did not understand that and wanted him to have a place with the slaves, but since he was still a son, he would get everything that his Father was willing to give.

I don't know about you, but I am glad that Father did what he did because I know that whenever I have an "epic fail" in my life, God will always welcome me back as a son and not an outsider. I think we should find the truth in this story and apply it to our everyday struggles with difficult people. Just think to yourself that you have been cured, and you have the medicine to help others, but be aware that you could relapse and become sick again unless you listen to the Great Physican's story and believe you are healed.

Listen to these lyrics from a song preformed by Carrie Underwood, because Love is all that matters... after all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEQj6RrQbgA&ob=av2e