The Forgiving Father

The well-known parable of  "The Prodigal Son", has also come to be known as "The Forgiving Father", for we see how his paternal love, wounded though it was by the departure of his young son into a world we all dread for our children, came to new levels that he probably didn't think existed.  As he waited day after day for the return of the young man, he had time to go through the gamut of pain, forgiveness and arrive at love. We can assume it just wasn't for a few weeks, for in addition to the joy days in which the boy indulged till his money ran out, he also worked for awhile with the swine, until his hunger brought him to his senses. Meanwhile, he father kept his daily vigil in hope, and perhaps some confidence that the son would return. And he was right and so overjoyed, that he seems to ignore the lad's confession and request for pardon, embracing him, kissing him, (probably shedding tears of joy), dressing him in a fine new robe, placing shoes on his feet, a ring on his fingers, and calling for a major feast featuring the fatted calf saved for a glorious occasion.  This was it! Excitement, elation, the relief and joy of finding a lost treasure. The Father's cup was overflowing, even to forgiving his eldest, grumbling son and attempting to assuage his anger...no one was excluded from his love. This parable has warmed hearts for centuries because it graphically details our God, who is Forgiveness, who is Love.  How can we keep from singing?
Bro. Rene