Grace to Grow: Release Anxiety and Find PurposeSampel

The Father’s Heart

Jim was a self-made millionaire who loved working with his two daughters. Jaqueline led the accounting department. He adored her steadiness and attention to detail, but she lacked the fire in her eyes like Evangeline. Jim grinned each time his youngest daughter pinned back her red locks and played boardroom hardball with incoming executives.

One morning, Jim entered his office in the dark and found Evangeline sitting at his desk. She leaned back in his chair. “Morning, Daddy. Can we talk?” Jim clicked the door behind him. “I want to discuss my shares of the company stock. I want to cash out now.” Evangeline looked her father square in the eyes.

Caught off guard, Jim asked, “Honey, what’s wrong? Do you need money? I thought you would one day take over and—”

“Jacqueline can have the business. I’ve made my decision.” Jim sat speechless as Evangeline pushed past him. He called his attorney, signed the paperwork, and gave Evangeline what she had asked for.

Jim called Evangeline the next day, but it went straight to voicemail. He texted, but no response.

Evangeline’s social media accounts were all blocked. Rumors from friends placed Evangeline on a yacht with a football star. Tabloids showed her in A-list nightclubs with revolving men by her side. Each morning Jim kneeled and prayed for his daughter.

Nine months passed with no word from Evangeline. One evening Jim was signing off on an email when his phone rang from an unknown number. “Daddy?” Evangeline’s voice cracked on the other end.

“Oh, honey! Are you okay? Where are you?”

“I’m okay, Daddy. I’m downstairs. Can…Can I come home?”

Jim bolted from his office. In the company lobby stood Evangeline with her phone in hand, her

red curls trimmed short to her head, freckled cheeks tear-streaked, and a perfectly rounded belly. He rushed to his daughter, and Evangeline sobbed into her father’s chest.

“I’m so sorry, Daddy. I thought things would be better—”

“Shhh. I’m glad you’re okay. Welcome home, sweetheart.”

What a portrait of God’s heart toward you and me. While Jim and his daughters are fictional, they are based on Jesus’ famous parable, the prodigal son. Found in Luke 15, the story captures the images of a son’s rebellion and his father’s forgiveness. Like Evangeline, the young man demanded an inheritance early and wasted it on wild living. When the money ran out, he found himself living in filth. Certain that being a servant in his father’s house was better than the streets, the young man returned home. Scripture says that the father’s eyes were scanning the hills while the son was still far away. When he caught a glimpse of the son’s shadow, the father took off running at full speed. He restored the young man with the finest robe, sandals, and a signet ring. When the world would have shunned his rebellion as disgraceful, the father celebrated the return of his son.

Lift your head when shame tries to cast a shadow over your soul. If you feel unwelcome in your

Father’s house, I encourage you to turn to the Lord. He embraces all who call on him. Like the dad in the parable, the eyes of the Lord scan the hilltops in search of a soul who needs him. The Father runs to a surrendered heart every time.

Pause to Reflect

• When we want to hide in humility, God wants us to receive grace.
• The Father exchanges labels of shame and dishonor with titles of son and daughter.
• The world's best cannot compare to the blessings in the Father’s house.

Pause to Pray

Heavenly Father, I choose to turn to you when I feel unworthy. You never resist a surrendered heart. I ask you to forgive all my failures and poor choices. I receive your grace and take my place as your child. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Let God give you the grace to grow! Kristel Ward has prepared 30 days of powerful, scripture-based prayers because sometimes we don't know what to pray. Get your complimentary Peace Prayer Cards here.

This plan was adapted from Kristel Ward’s devotional Grace to Grow: 40 Devotions to Release Anxiety and Dive into Purpose. Learn more here.