The Prodigal's Path

It's been said that Jesus was never specific as to who the prodigal was in the Parable.  For much of my life, I'd always assumed it was the son that took the inheritance money early, spent it on riotous living, became so broke and poor that he considered eating the pig's food, and went home to beg to be a servant in his father's house.

A few years ago I attended an early morning talk given by John Bytheway.  Ok, really I sneeked in on the basis it was for the youth, and I had driven my two teens over-- and did I mention it was John Bytheway?!  Yup, there was an empty chair, and I was happy to keep it filled.

In his talk, he shared a whole new perspective on The Prodigal.  Yes, the money-wasting son is easy to identify-- but in reality, both sons exemplified the prodigal son.  The first for his outward sins, and the second for his inner sins.

Jesus has asked us to forgive, but sometimes that is a really, really, REALLY hard thing to do.

I have had an opportunity to experience a prodigal path of my own.

I have always identified with the hard working son, and this time has been no different.  I understand his feelings-- the tired resentment of having extra work put upon his shoulders, the feelings of being overlooked for being the quiet one, or for being the dependable one, and any number of little and big things.

Why is it so hard to forgive someone who has wronged us?

I can tell you, but I'm guessing you may already have had this discussion in your own head. We all have.  Sometimes even multiple times-- and until we figure it out, we are destined to repeat it over, and over again.

The Prodigal's Path is going to be a post about something small...... and about everything big.

It's about forgiving those who have hurt us, and living a life of love.  Love is a gift that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.  The sacrifice of the Savior is proof of that.  His sacrifice is the reason why we are able to forgive others-- because He has suffered and paid the price for everyone's sins.  It was an infinite Atonement, so it covers it all.  All the way up, and all the way down.

When we can fully realize what that means for us-- that everyone's sins, big or small, have been paid for, then it gives us the freedom our hearts and souls long to have-- the freedom to love. To connect with one another and to stitch together the human race.

Together..... or perhaps another way to say it would be: To Gather.  To bring close, to add strength one to another, to hope and to pray that as we are all in our own ways learning and growing-- and often by our mistakes we learn the most-- we have the opportunity to put things more aright if we are willing to allow the completeness of the atonement to work within us as well as without.

'And again I say unto you,ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God'  3 Nephi 11: 38.

Why a child? Because a child is so very quick to forgive.  Somehow that becomes harder as we 'grow up'.

But as we allow the healing aspect of the Atonement to work within us-- to be the salve that heals-- we can change our hearts and minds to be more like the Savior's, and to grow closer to what He would have us become.

 I see that for all of us-- with our differing opinions, our different pasts and futures, that we all may have many chances to greet a 'prodigal son' as they return to their Father's house, with little expectations of a warm greeting. We can all change that. We have the opportunity-- as people seek to change for the better-- to be the one hoping, and cheering for a soul reclaimed from the darkness.

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This semester for Pathway I have chosen 'Enduring Charity', with a special emphasis this last week or two on 'Love'.  What this means is that for a space of time, I am trying to learn, to grow, and to show my chosen attribute of the Savior-- so that my testimony may grow, and that I can become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.   This week-- today actually-- I offered a hug to someone who had caused great pain and sorrow to me.  The 'Prodigal Path' is a journey of healing-- something that I believe can be a testament to the wondrous power of the Atonement.  It can be done. Healing and change is all possible--  if one is willing to reach out to claim the gift that has already been given.