photo #7708403

Luke 15:16 - And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. " ... and no one gave him anything." I think this is one of the most overlooked parts of this story. He wasn't able to "come to himself," (v. 17) until he went without. I thank God everyday that He stripped me of everything and left me homeless and hungry in the streets. It was only then that I was willing to set aside my pride and admit I needed help. It's an act of love to tell someone that their choices are hurting them. It's an act of love to refuse to enable someone down a path of addiction and destruction. It's an act of love to discipline your children and teach them right from wrong. It's an act of love to allow someone you love to face the consequences of their destructive actions. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and in the spirit of Thanksgiving I'm thankful for parents that enacted some tough love on their meth-addicted son. I'm thankful for a God that let me wallow in the mess that I created. I'm thankful that God divinely decreed a " ... and no one gave him anything" moment.