In the morning of our lives we are determined to make a mark. Dancing freely without a care in the world, trying fruits from forbidden trees, and cursing others names all in hopes of conquering the world. Some steal, cheat, defraud, commit adultery, lie, and murder.

The story of the Prodigal Son speaks to many of us, hiding our shadows deep within. Do you know someone who is lost? Or do you feel lost? The Prodigal Son was given a small fortune and squandered it away. When his riches were gone, he saw how awful he had been.

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. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He 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 servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father…was lost, and is found (Luke 15:11-32).

When he returned to his father, his father was relieved his son was found alive. Just as in the song Amazing Grace where a Captain of a slave ship realized that he was lost but  through self actualization was found, freeing slaves bound for sale.

We are all lost to some degree and some more than others, but there comes a time when we must find acceptance in ourselves, asking forgiveness for our transgressions. We must further forgive those whom transgress against us, leading us to True Freedom.

Do you think returning to people we hurt, in modern times, they will find forgiveness? How would we know without asking?

Have you hurt others in the past? A family member? Go to them and ask for forgiveness now. Your heavenly father will forgive you, but humans we have to mingle with…especially family. Can we be truly free if we have not removed our own guilt?

In the afternoon of our lives we reflect on where we are, wishing we could make amends with those we hurt. We carry guilt to our grave and live a miserable second half to our lives. For most they live a “Living Death” and remain in guilt. They go to church, looking for salvation, but deep within their soul they still have the guilt. Others will go to their victims, begging for forgiveness. Whether they accept them or not, they are willing to take the risk. These are true Warriors of Peace, freeing themselves from guilt. Go to them now and be freed…

“Stepping into the Canvas with a new sense of freedom, joining the Lost whom are found. I will no longer judge you, so please do not judge me.”~Joseph