Are You Okay?

Today I was at the store, catching up on some very much needed grocery shopping.  As I finished up, I eye-balled myself a line I felt would be shortest to wait in.  In front of me was what appeared to be a single Dad with his 3 young children.   His cart was full, his eyes were heavy and the kids were busy.  His oldest son was the only one not busy and looking a bit pale.  I could tell he either didn't feel well or was upset about something as he was wiping tears from his eyes.  His Dad was moving as fast as he could to get the groceries up on the belt and keep the other two kids busy and in line.  As he began to check out, his oldest son began to throw up.  His Dad gave a big sigh and immediately raced to his sons aide to help, but had that helpless look.  He said softly but sweetly, "I wish you would have listened to me, I knew it wasn't a good idea for you to eat that, are you okay?"  
  I felt such compassion for this man and his son, but I too was not sure how to help.  Immediately the Holy Spirit brought to my attention the large package of paper towels in my cart.  I tore open the package and handed the Dad a handful of paper towels.  He looked at me so shocked and I assured him that it was okay, I was buying them anyway.  He said "thank you so much".  I then handed another handful to the boy so that he could wipe his mouth as his dad cleaned him off.   After we had things cleaned up, the Dad again said to me with a relieved look, "you have no idea how much I appreciate your help, thank you."  I said "oh sure, no problem, glad to help".     As I was walking out to the parking lot and thinking about the words this man had said to his son, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how many times we have made choices against the better judgement of our Heavenly Father.  Yet, when we are there dealing with the repercussion of the choices we have made,  He is still right there to pick us up, clean us up, and ask us if we are okay .  It made me think of the story of The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32  :
   Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger son asks his father to give him his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance. Once received, the son promptly sets off on a long journey to a distant land and begins to waste his fortune on wild living. When the money runs out, a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself in dire circumstances. He takes a job feeding pigs. He is so destitute that he even longs to eat the food assigned to the pigs.

The young man finally comes to his senses, remembering his father. In humility, he recognizes his foolishness, decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and mercy. The father who had been watching and waiting, receives his son back with open arms of compassion. He is overjoyed by the return of his lost son! Immediately the father turns to his servants and asks them to prepare a giant feast in celebration.   

     Praise God for His forgiveness!!! When we make mistakes and whole-heartedly repent of them and come home, He will be there with open arms of forgiveness and mercy to pick us up, clean us off, and ask us if we are okay.