I last wrote a Christian Comment in the second week of Lent contemplating what we consider necessary for our lives. As the intervening weeks and months have unfolded I suspect we’ve all evaluated what is important as we have found ourselves restricted in our activities and interactions with one another.

Today’s technology enables us to speak face to face and makes distance immaterial, yet so many I came acrros in print, on the radio and internet were expressing frustration at visiting loved ones but being unable to share a hug with them.

One of the parables that Jesus Christ told concerned a son who requested his share of his inheritance from his father; leaving home he found that his money didn’t last long living the lavish lifestyle he sought. Penniless and friendless he contemplated how he could possibly return home. Rehearsing what he was going to say, he started his return journey – wonderfully the Bible records while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

We can perhaps understand the love of the father separated from his son but this parable has a deeper meaning – it speaks of God the Father receiving those who turn in faith to Him. Acceptance is something we all crave, and it can be found today in a God who loves us.

ANDREW KIMBER