My favorite part of the Prodigal Son story told by Jesus is when the son returns home but is still a ways from home. The father has been looking for the son to come back home and then this happens:
Luke 15:20 says, “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
The prodigal son in this story had left his home abruptly, squandered his inheritance, and disgraced the father. Yet, when the son returned home, the father ran to his son and embraced him as his son with compassion. Our Heavenly Father does much the same for us. From time to time, we abruptly leave Him, squander His blessings, and disgrace Him. But when we choose to return home to Him, He runs to us, embraces us with compassion, and welcomes us home.
Reluctant Retiree 