The story of the prodigal son tells of a young man who wished to receive his inheritance pre-maturely in order to seek out the pleasures of the world.

As most of us know it worked for a while but as life would have it his selfishness granted itself a larger than large chunk out of his backside.

Oh how his heart must have been crushed, His pride bruised beyond recognition and his fear heightened to the point of unforgiving anger towards himself.

The son was not only sorry for how he had lived but was humbled to the point of asking his father for the lowest position in his employ just to be close to his family. Though I am sure there were consequences to his actions which reached farther than the life he left behind; his father not only welcomed him home but through a celebration in honor of his sons return.

Can you imagine how difficult it was to come back home. Stripped of all his worldly treasures and pride he returned with barely the shirt on his back.

And of course when ever the fallen prodigal returns from his mess there is always someone there to shove it in his face. In this case it was his brother who felt that he was better than his prodigal sibling because after all he’s the one who stayed by his father’s side to tend the crops and animals.

We all know of folks who have gone back out to the world of active addiction and alcoholism. I wonder, when they have returned we’re we like the prodigal’s Father, greeting them with respect, a loving hand and compassion or were we more like the brother pointing that all so common accusing finger?

Or perhaps we have assigned them an allowed number of relapses before we turn our backs.

No one has the right to ridicule another. 12 Step literature teaches us not to judge lest we be judged. And of course that phrase is nothing new; it’s in the Bible several times. Remember the log in our own eye that’s bigger than our brothers or sisters who has with head down and tail dragging come back into the fold.

Let us never forget that we are not unique. That but for the grace of God go we. And anyone of us could become the prodigal of recovery at any given time.

Oh and one more thing…. Be careful who you shame or ridicule, they just may end up being your sponsor one day.
 

Meditorial

This week I will look past the offences of others. I will ask my Higher Power to help me see them through His eyes and not my own. I will look at my self in the mirror each morning and ask God to help me remember that I have not been put on this planet to be another’s judge and jury, but to respect, care and love God’s creation.

This week I will look beyond the depth of another’s outward offence and ask God to help me not only see their heart but to feel it as well.