I watched a video of a man break down. Regret covered his face and his eyes told a story of remorse. Through his tear-streaked face, he was repenting and praying to God. Like the parable Jesus tells of the prodigal son, how his father happily welcomes him home. Despite his mistakes. Friends, no matter how far we go, we are not too far gone. For God is always there, patiently waiting for us to come back to Him. Years ago, my Grandparent’s had a really nice neighbor. He was an amazing man, loving and kind. Not to mention, a devout Christian man. Whom had a deep love for God. Which is why I was thrown off guard, when I was told of his past. When he was a young man, he was a part of a gang. I do not know all the crimes committed or bad things he did while being a part of it. I do not know the story of what changed his heart. However, I know the who. I know that God changed his heart. He went from a gang member, to an amazing member of society. In fact, he became a wonderful Pastor. For many years he was even in charge or the local rescue mission. Friend, no matter how far we go, what matters is that we come back to Him. God can take our stories and our past mistakes to help others. To make a positive difference. While also helping, bring others to Him. Like Saul in the Bible. He was a bad man. God, changed him from within. His name was later changed to Paul. As a way to demonstrate he had become a changed man from his former self. More or less. Friends, we don’t need to change our names. Like them though, we need to change our hearts. Aside from God and Jesus, Paul is my favorite Bible character. I love how God takes broken people. To the world’s standards, bad people. Then, changes them from within, making them good. For God is good. Friends, I don’t know all the mistakes you have made. Anymore then you know all of mine. However, I’m here to say, you’re not too far gone. Come home friend, your father in Heaven is waiting to welcome you.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Luke 15:11-24 nkjv

“Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘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 fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”