Christian Living

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Prodigal Daughter
© 2011

by

Stephen A. Peterson


First Lieutenant Robb Harjo took his role of father seriously. As soon as his daughter was born, he played interactive games, fed, bathed, and diapered his little girl at every opportunity. As she grew, Robb Harjo, now a Lieutenant Colonel, took her to her piano lessons, religious education classes, basketball practices and encouraged her to try wholesome new activities. He worked hard to teach her about God and healthy living. However, during her 14th year of life, Tulley decided she did not want her father around. She began to experiment with alcohol as well as radical thoughts that excluded God and her Christian traditions and values.

By Tulley’s 17th birthday, she had been incarcerated for public intoxication, placed in state custody after nearly killing an elderly woman with a stolen vehicle, and arrested for shoplifting a Mickey Mouse watch valued at $35.00. Robb was hurt, embarrassed and extremely disappointed in Tulley’s behavior.

As he stood before the juvenile court judge for Tulley’s latest violation, the judge demanded an explanation for her misbehaviors over the last three years and what would be his future plans for his daughter. Robb stated: “Your honor, I love my daughter unconditionally. I invested my entire life on her behalf and unbring. No matter what she has done, your honor, she is still my daughter. On the day she was born, I praised and thanked God for her—the greatest gift, besides her mother, that I had EVER been given. She will always be my daughter. My heart, house and property will always be there for her when she is released from the court’s custody.”

Judge Shirley Mann asked Tulley for her explanation. Tulley stood before the judge crying stating: “Father, how can you forgive me for what I have done to you? I cannot face you. I am not worthy to be your daughter or to come home ever again! I’m so sorry, father!”

Judge Mann sat in awe. “I have never witnessed a father so dedicated to such a wayward child. Your father is a very, very good father. How many would be so devoted to a child. However, I must do my duty as a judge and remand you to juvenile custody and lock up until your 21st birthday”.

Tulley Harjo remained in custody until her 21st birthday. On the day of her release, standing in the hallway waiting to welcome her was her father. Before she could say a word, Robb Harjo hugged and kissed his daughter, celebrated her release then threw a coming home party for her costing more than $5,000. Tulley’s life and attitude changed once she realized her father would never abandon or forsake her.

Throughout the Old Testament, time and time again, God rescued the Hebraic (His Chosen People) People from their enemies as well as nurtured them once they realized their sins and repented. Yet they continued to do as they wished by denying His existence, worshipping things or themselves or other gods and making sinful ways their standard behaviors. But no matter how many times they turned from evil then back, God loved them unconditionally longing for their return.
Do you believe your sin is so hideous, long term or destructive that God will never accept you back? Well, you have nothing to be concerned with. Once you have completed your life of sin, disobedience, ignorance and rejection of God, He will be waiting to hold you, forgive you and accept you in His house. You will never be driven from His always opened arms.

What a Father you and I have!!!

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