Welcome {Five Minute Friday}

Welcome…

The journey back home was longer than he expected.  His only companions were the smell of his own stench and the pressure of his shame and guilt.  He could barely hold up under either.  He would say that they were heavier than the bag he carried on his back, but it was empty.  Empty as his dreams.  Empty as his self-worth.

He wasn’t expecting any warm welcome.  In truth, he anticipated no welcome at all.  He certainly didn’t deserve one.  Funny how he left with all kinds of self-importance and entitlement, only to return with only the request to be the lowest servant on the household staff.  Life is ironic like that.

Returning home felt more humiliating than anything he’d experienced in his time away.  Nothing clears the cobwebs of pride like looking at the rafters under which the person you used to be has stood.  He longed to smell the familiar scents of comfort, yet knew the rancor of condemnation would be the first breath he’d take.  Yet it was home, and there are times when nothing else will satisfy like it.

There upon the pathway leading to the gate, he saw it.  At first, just a blur.  It was a man approaching him.  Surely a servant approaching to keep him from drawing any closer to the proximity of love and safety.   No, it looked as if it was a family member.  Ah, brother dear can’t wait to begin his venomous arbitration against me.  But no, it is Father.  Father, why are you running?  Father, how you have aged!  Father, why are there tears streaming from your eyes?  Oh  Father, do not embrace me!  How can you hold so closely this stench?  Father Dear, why must you cling so tightly?

Son, you are loved.  In my arms, you are always welcome.

Done.

Now it’s your turn to join in.  Here’s the link to Gypsy Mama’s siteand here’s her invitation for the week:

“Want to take five minutes with me and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Here’s how we do it:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my right side bar}

3. Go and tell the person who linked up before you what their words meant to you. Every writer longs to feel heard.

It’s a great way to exhale at the end of a beautiful week.”