Every year at Christmas my daughter, who is nine this year, gives each member of our family a present. She either makes us a home-made craft, or just scrounges through the house to find that perfect gift! This past Saturday was “shopping” day. That evening Katy called me up to her room once the wrapping was finished. With obvious delight, she opened her closet door, and there on the shelf was a whole row of small wrapped packages, complete with bows! Katy picked one small gift off the shelf and told me, “This one’s for Cory. It’s my compass, so he can find directions. Cory needs to come home, mommy.”

I stood there speechless. Cory is my son, my prodigal son. Running from God, running from us, running from himself. After a long silence, I was finally able to say (more…)