“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” - Galatians 6:1-2
As the sun set upon the horizon of the deep ocean blackness, you could hear waves lapping against the rocks and legs of the piers and jutties extending into the water. Bon-fires were cropping up across the length of beach as people began to gather around each one. Averaging 10-15 people per fire, they all sat staring at the flame or looking out upon the dark unknown before them in the ocean’s depths. Most were in their teen years or early twenties, with a couple of more mature younger folks hanging out with younger partners.
Couples and acquaintances cuddled under blankets near the fires. Here or there you could find a few strumming their guitar, or beating a drum in the night air. Some singing, but mostly just a methodical beat drifting off into the air in a manner of praise to the gods of fire and darkness. Then the drugs and alcohol started being passed around, and a haze of vapor and smoke began to settle over the beach. With the sun over the horizon, inhibitions were abandoned and the partying had begun. Dancing ensued, followed by unmentionable activities between strangers as the swell of unabated desires fueled by the jeering and calls of those gathered around. It was quickly becoming a celebration of debauchery, and the evil of the world was evident everywhere.
On the hill above the beach a single man stood quietly. He held a sign on a pole above him, that simply said, “You are my beloved child, and I still love you. Please come home.” Tears covered his cheeks, as he stood alone in the cold. In one hand he held onto a small doll, that had once belonged to his beautiful little girl many years ago. In the other hand he held a blanket and a small bag of clothes. He sang softly the words from a lullaby that he had sang to her so many nights as she grew up, but in the partying and uproar, his words fell silently upon her ears.
You see, she had ran away nearly a year ago, taking his ATM card when she did. She proceeded to nearly empty his account before he could disable the card. Now, here she was on the West Coast, living life wildly and just having fun. The money had long dried up, resulting in her needing to beg and trade each day for food and fun. She had ignored him when he called a few times and wanted nothing to do with his judging attitude upon her life. She wanted to live her life for herself, and aggressively went out of her way to avoid his principles and nurturing guidance from her youth. Rebellious in every action, she was trying to get as far from his beliefs as possible.
Yet, once he discovered that she came to this beach to party almost every night, he began showing up to watch the sunset from afar, praise God and watch over his little girl. He stood there with hope that could only come from the Father above, to make sure she knew that his love had not wavered and that she was welcome back into his home. His heart burst every night as she would glance his way, shake her head and walk away with her arm around someone.
As the night wore on, the fire faded and the wind slowed down. He stood at his post diligently, lovingly, patiently and watched as the crowds began to dissipate. He watched as she emerged from under a blanket with two others, adjusting her bikini back into place. Then another came over and grabbed her by the arm to pull her to him. She pulled back and yelled something at the kid, to which the kid slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the ground. Then he called her inexplicable words and everyone laughed at her, spit on her and kicked sand on her. She lay there by herself, as they all began to walk off together, laughing and carrying on.
She lay near the burnt ashes of the fire, sobbing into the crook of her elbow. The fire embers provided some warmth, but the chill was setting in as she lie there in her bikini. She knew she had nowhere to go. Her roommate had kicked her out a month ago for not having any money to pay a portion of the bills. Closing her eyes, she curled into a fetal position and cried herself to sleep in the cold.
Soon after, she was startled as a blanket softly fell upon her shivering body. Her eyes were blurry as the tears filled them. She slowly turned and looked up. There he was, kneeling over her, with her doll in one hand and a bag in the other. She slowly sat up, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders, she lifted her eyes to stare into his face. He handed her the doll and pulled the blanket tighter around her. His words echo in her mind to this day, “I love you, please come home.” She fell into his chest, sobbing deeply, expressing why she didn’t deserve to come home. He held her close, running his fingers through her matted hair, her body convulsing as the tears flowed.
The next words from his lips were the most important words he could ever voice. “There is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you. I am your father and will always pick you up when you fall. Come home and let’s talk about it in the morning.” To which she replied, “Can we go now?” He handed her the bag with a change of clothes he took from her room at the house. He lifted her up from the sand, carrying her back up the hill, where he lay her gently on the back seat of his truck. Covering her with the blanket, he shut the door and gave her the privacy to change into the sweatshirt jeans and tennis shoes. He lifted his head to the heavens and praised God for returning his little girl to him. He then started the car, turned the heater on and drove them the 110 miles back home, singing her favorite lullaby the whole way home while she slept in the back seat.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for the love you have given to us. An immutable love that is poured out upon your children despite our transgressions and sinful nature. We are loved in an unmeasurable manner and provided a grace that is so undeserved by our very existence. Please stand near me and strengthen me as I parent my children and influence others. Let your love be in my words, to gently restore the faith of the lost and help those that are blind see once again. My joy in life is to share your gospel, give me the ability to share it with your blessing.
– Amen
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