A prodigal life

I taught Sunday school last week. The lesson was about the prodigal son.

The kids were supposed to draw a picture of a loving parent. I passed out paper and everyone sat there and stared at me. No one picked up a marker.

"My parents yell a lot, " one girl offered.

I ended up suggesting they imagine what a loving parent might look like and draw that.

Now, I know these children have loving parents. But that doesn't mean family life is easy. It's been a long summer. One extended car trip can just about do most of us in.

Anyhow, it turned out to be a good lesson for all of us -- children and parents -- who feel less than loving sometimes. Because it's about forgiveness.

God forgives us, we forgive ourselves, we forgive others, and -- hopefully -- they forgive us.

It's our only hope.