He took what was his, left his roots and went to where life was a constant party. Leaving the stifling lifestyle of farm life he entered into a great new world, and what a wonderful time he had; Lots of wine, lots of women, lots of laughter and lots of friends. Then the money ran out and so did the wine, women, laughter and friends. What started out as the time of his life turned out to be the vacation from hell.

In desperation he took to the streets for survival. He lived from hand to mouth and often times went without. Finally, he landed a job on a pig farm just outside of town. He hated the pigs and he hated the job but it was living. Or was it?

One desperate day of soul searching, as he tried to please the pigs' owners he got to thinking about things and decided that he'd really had about enough. His father was pretty wealthy. He had lots of hired hands around the ranch. Maybe he would hire back his son. He probably wouldn't want him as a son anymore, but he was always looking for good workers. Here was his chance, and off the young partygoer went.

When he got in sight of the place that had once been his home, he noticed that way off in the distance someone was running toward him. It looked like his father. He looked closer. It was his father. As his father drew near he heard him giving orders that sort of stunned him. "Kill the calf and prepare a feast... Go get the family ring....Get a beautiful robe and place it on the shoulders of my boy....I can't believe it! He's come home. He's come home."

Suddenly the young man found himself enveloped in the bear hugs of his father whom through tears kissed him and held him and ran his fingers through his hair. Choked-up and almost unable to speak, the boy's father struggled but suddenly forced out the words, "I love you so much. I'm so glad you're home. I've missed you. You're home. You're home. I love you so much."

Sometimes I wish God were like that but maybe that would be asking a little too much. It would be, wouldn't it?