Welcome Home

Welcome Home
by Max Lucado

I came home one night
to find the place unusually quiet. Molly was gone.

She’d slipped out unnoticed. The search began immediately. Within an hour we
knew that she was far, far from home. Now, if you don’t like pets, what I’m
about to say is going to sound strange. If you do like pets, you will
understand.

You’ll understand why we walked up and down the street, calling her name.
You’ll understand why I drove around the neighborhood at 10:30 P.M. You’ll
understand why I put up a poster in the convenience store and convened the
family for a prayer. (Honestly, I did.) You’ll understand why I sent e-mails to
the staff, asking for prayers, and to her breeder, asking for advice. And you’ll
understand why we were ready to toss the confetti and party when she showed
up.

Here is what happened. The next morning Denalyn was on her way home from
taking the girls to school when she saw the trash truck. She asked the workers
to keep an eye out for Molly and then hurried home to host a moms’ prayer group.
Soon after the ladies arrived, the trash truck pulled into our driveway, a
worker opened the door, and out bounded our dog. She had been found.

When Denalyn called to tell me the news, I could barely hear her
voice. It was Mardi Gras in the kitchen. The ladies were celebrating the return
of Molly.

This story pops with symbolism. The master leaving his house, searching for
the lost. Victories in the midst of prayer. Great things coming out of trash.
But most of all: the celebration at the coming home. That’s something else you
have in common with Molly???a party at your homecoming.

Those you love will shout. Those you know will applaud. But all the noise
will cease when he cups your chin and says, “Welcome home.” And with scarred
hand he’ll wipe every tear from your eye. And you will dwell in the house of
your Lord???forever.

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