For the first time in years, my wife had no music responsibilities at our Church. We decided to visit a Church that she grew up in. The Minister’s message was the story of the Prodigal Son found in the book of Luke. The farmer’s son talked him into giving him his inheritance, now, so he could live life how he wanted, making his own way in the world. Out of love for the son, the Father complied and the son was out the door and heading for new territory. The young man was a terrible money-manager. Soon, he was broke and hungry. The friends that leeched off of his money, were not willing to help in his time of need. In these times of hunger pains, the young man had visions of home and the life he gave up. The son realized how good he had it in his father’s home. By using his life as an analogy to ours, whether you are a boy or girl, some of his trials are nestled in our own struggles to live righteously. How do we use our own gifts and abilities? Like the Prodigal Son, God has gifted us with qualities to help others or to use in praising him as we bring glory to his name: having a working relationship is the most important thing we can do. For the conclusion of the message, the sanctuary was mapped out as a ball diamond. Each youngster there would run the bases and come home. When the race began, the minister moved to the far isle, blocking their entrance to Home. But it wasn’t a block, it was actually a catch. The Father caught the wayward one because His ever-vigilant sight knew the lost one could always come home. The truth of this story is that God is real and He watches for anyone willing to make the return trip back Home. He will always be there if and when we make the choice of returning to the Father. God is teeming with compassion and forgiveness. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness.