There are two other characters in the parable of the prodigal son; the father, and the older brother. Jesus shifts the parable to focus on how the father embraces, restores, and blesses his wayward son when he returns. But then Jesus goes one step further, and contrasts the behaviour of the older son, who was physically present with his father, but just as relationally distant.

But here's the bottom line: No one is beyond the reach of God's love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and redemption.

Failure is unavoidable in life, but as we grieve what has happened, we have a unique opportunity to review what has happened and learn from our failures. Moving on too quickly from our failures denies us the opportunity to grow our character.

Part of growing our character, requires owning our portion of what led to the failure or mistake. It's only when we own it, that we can address it.

Failure is unavoidable in life. Despite our best of intentions and no matter how hard we work, there will always be times in life where we experience sorrow, loss, grief, and failure. But that doesn't have to be the end of the road; this Sunday we began a series on the Parable of the Lost Son, and we're exploring how failure affects us, and what we can do to move forward.

Throughout the Israelite's history, suffering and grief were constant themes, but instead of hiding their sorrows away, they expressed their grief and allowed God to meet them in their grief.