By Shea Lowery
Entrusted Hope Ministries
As he looked intently into Nana’s face, the look in my grandson’s eyes said it all. Beckham spoke no words, but rather had a stare that silently communicated “I’m sorry,” for a beautiful object nestled in his little hands had fallen onto the ground, shattering parts asunder.
It all started when Beckham (3 years old) had eyed a beautiful ceramic red bird sitting around my mother’s home. The beauty of the bird drew his attention, and the mere thought of holding it generated much excitement.
As he sauntered around the room, protecting it as best he could, it was as if the little fellow were holding gold. Beckham’s tender heart had grown quite fond of his new little friend.
Crashing onto the floor
As my grandson continued playing with the bird, suddenly his walk was disturbed by a stumble. Instantly, Beckham watched as the bird fell out of his grasped hands, crashing onto the floor.
The pretty red bird was now scuffed up and broken, with pieces scattered on the floor. Little Beck was troubled that his new buddy was broken. Even more so, he had no idea what would come next as he looked up to me with a saddened face.
Immediately, I knew Beckham needed reassuring that everything would be OK. As I began to comfort him, I walked over to the bird, picked it up, and held it in my hands, while voicing promptly, “This bird will fly again, for God specializes in restoring broken things (people).”
“It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
Whether we have jumped head-first into pits of sin or been wounded by the hands of others, the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ saves souls, mends the brokenhearted, heals the wounded and restores the fallen.
I have a big heart for the broken, the prodigals and the outcasts, for I have been all those things, but I remember the love of a Father who never once turned His back on me.
Sometimes I endured tough consequences brought on by myself. Yet the Lord walked with me through them — strengthening me, loving me and restoring me.
Prodigal son
In Luke 15, the author communicates the story of a prodigal son’s return home, where he is met by a Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance.
The son had entreated his father to give him his inheritance early. Thus, with his request granted, he gathered everything together, chose his own path and headed off toward a distant country.
While there, he jumped headfirst into the pits of sins, losing his entire inheritance. Eventually, the son found himself feeding swine for hire. He had lost it all — his inheritance and his integrity.
Yet in that field, doing what he never imagined he would be doing, something happened.
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’” (Luke 15:17–19).
First, the son came to his senses. He began to look around at where he had landed in life. He remembered the Father whom he had walked away from, and how good he had it back home.
Next, he made a decision to get up and go back to his father. Adjacent to this decision was required confession and repentance, which the son carried out.
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.
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.” Then they began to celebrate (Luke 15:20–24).
Open arms
The son’s repentance was met by a loving father, who accepted him back and welcomed him with open arms.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
At one time in my life, my wings were broken, and flying again was a thought most foreign. Yet God, who is the author of my story, had other plans. My Savior picked me up, set me apart to Himself, and began a work in my life by which, to this day, I still stand amazed.
Whether we are the ones who jump into pits of sin or the ones affected by those who have, we have a loving Father who will mend, heal, restore and use us for His great glory and Kingdom purposes.
God is the One writing your story. Be encouraged! You will fly again!
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3).
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