The first, faltering steps of a toddler are so heart-warming and exciting. Often a proud father looks on, his heart brimming with love. Doesn’t he know that, in the process of learning to walk, his child will stumble? Does he realize that there will even be some painful falls? Well, of course he does. If he really loved his child, he wouldn’t allow him to do something that could hurt him! Isn’t that right?!
We all know that bumps and bruises are just part of growing up and learning to walk. A loving father wants his child to have a full life, in spite of some times of pain. I wonder if the prodigal’s father thought of this as his son demanded the right to “stretch his legs”.
I know that our Heavenly Father longs to see us learn to run the race in such a way that our pain increases our endurance and makes us long for the finish line. At times, the race that is marked out for us seems long and difficult. It is encouraging to remember that it is because of God’s great love for us that He allows us to trip over the small obstacles in order to prepare us. Satan will create soul-numbing hurdles for each us. In His great wisdom, God trains us through suffering to run in such a way that we can overcome these hurdles. Our Father’s heart longs, most of all, for us to finish the race and come home. He is waiting!
Kathleen Tatro
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