The night was chilly in my hometown of Toronto, Ontario. However, I had to dress for the weather and be on my way. It was quite a walk to the salon. I couldn’t wait to get the haircut of my dreams! Layers. Lots of layers. This was the 70’s … and layers was the name of the game. But more of that later! Let’s go. I don’t want to miss my appointment.
After a brisk walk, I arrived at the salon. After being introduced to my stylist, I realized that we had a bit of a language barrier. I’m not sure what her native language was, but mine was limited to English and high school level French. Neither of those tongues were helping.
So … I did what any haircut-seeking, language-handcuffed young woman does. I resorted to demonstrating with my hair and my hands.
“OK. I want layers. (hands held horizontally, showing lines, moving down) Starting here. (hand held horizontally at shoulder length.) Then layers, going down from there. (hand moving down, dramatically in stages, representing layers.)” Big smile. OK. Good. She gets it.
I settled into the chair, trying to relax, with butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t wait to show my friends! I couldn’t wait to style it. I couldn’t wait to … Oh, my goodness. What’s she doing? I looked into the mirror and panicked as I saw that my long, dark locks were falling to the floor as they were being cut off above my shoulders. No layers. None. Just a short even cut all the way around. I knew that there was no turning back.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I paid the stylist and left quickly. All I wanted was to call home to my mother, share my disappointment and hear her usual response … “Oh, Ruth… just come home.”
Just. Come. Home.
Come! Let’s take a road trip. Well … maybe it will be an air trip. Just bring your passport and a back-pack, ’cause we’ll be walking miles on dusty roads. No suitcases.
I’m so glad you came! The plane is descending, and everyone’s ecstatic! It’s been a long flight. Look out of the window… There is Jerusalem! I just can’t wait to start walking.
As our sandals kick up clouds of dust on the roads outside of Jerusalem, we see a crowd gathered. Oh, look! There’s Jesus, talking to the people. Listen…
“There was a man who had two sons…” Jesus continued on to tell them a story about the choices these two sons made after being given their inheritance. The one son stayed on working for his father. The other left home and spent it all, partying it away. Soon he was hungry and had to work to put food in his belly, even eating pigs’ food.
One day, a light bulb went on in his head… and he realized that his father’s servants had it better than he did. He decided to go home. But first, he planned his speech. He thought to himself, “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” Perfect. That sounds good. Off he set for home.
As he got close to home, his heart was pounding and his step quickened. There were the beautiful sights of his home in the distance. And he could see someone running. Wait… he was running towards him. Is that Father? Before he could say a word of his speech, his Father’s arms were around him and his Father kissed him. The son tried to say his speech but he wasn’t even able to complete the speech before his daddy was planning a welcome-home party. “Bring the best robe … Put a ring on his finger … sandals on his feet … Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate …. this son of mine … was lost and is found.” Luke 15
My dear friend … have you chased after what you thought would bring you fun and fulfillment … and found yourself far away from everything and everyone that you once loved … feeding on that which leaves you feeling empty and starved?
Jesus stands and waits … saying to you, “Just come home.” He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 And as you turn to Him, He’ll come running to you, arms wide open, and wrap you in His love. In that moment of surrender, you will become a child of His, and He will never leave your side.
Just. Come. Home.
“Dear Lord … I’ve tried to live my life far from You. And it’s empty. I’m left feeling broken, lonely, sad and disillusioned. I now want to come Home to You. I surrender. I’m asking You to come into my heart, cleanse me from sin with Your blood, and make me Your child. I now come Home to You. Thank You for your comforting arms and for your promise to give me rest. I now rest in You. In Your Name, Amen.”