The big day is here — my birthday and the day to draw the name of a winner for the Second Chance Giveaway. Remember the one involving a Cheesecake Factory gift card? Who could forget?! :)
Without further ado, the lucky winner is… Mary at The Provident Woman! I’ll get your yummy prize to you, Mary, as soon as you send me your mailing address. Congratulations and happy indulging!
I’d also like to share something special with all of you — one of the most beautiful accounts ever told of someone else who was given a second chance. Some of you know the story as “The Prodigal Son”. What’s even more beautiful is that the same second — and even unlimited — chances are available to all of us through our heavenly Father. Oh, how He loves us! Picture Him as the father in this story…
11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13″Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17″When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21″The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22″But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
Celebrate with me! We have a Father who will run to us with open arms!
*Flickr photo by wilkristin, Creative Commons License
Congratulations to the winner and…
HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY to you Cheryl. I pray it’s a wonderful day for you.
Remain well dear friend. Love and hugs.
Happy birthday, Cheryl! :)
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Lisa and Jessica!
Amen!
I have been the prodigal child, filling myself with swine food until, thank God, I finally “came to my senses” and headed home. Both my heavenly Father and my earthly father were there to greet me with their love and arms … wide open.
I’ve known a great and lavish grace, Cheryl. I’ll never tire of hearing this story. It is my pilgrimage of mercy.
peace~elaine
Happy Belated Birthday greetings, Cheryl! May this year be one of unexpected blessings! Hey, we’re almost sisters — separated by one day apart! :)
Blessings and joy to you!
Hi Cheryl,
A belated Happy Birthday! Hope your day was wonderful.
And congrats to your lucky winner! What an appropriate gift after seeing Julie & Julia. That movie made me HUNGRY…and like you, I loved the blogging/writing references.