The Prodigal Comes to His Senses

Then “he came to himself.” His mind hadn’t been functioning very well for a long time. He had been in a dream, a mad whirl, but now he came to his senses. His hunger brought him down to fundamentals. He remembered how it was in his father’s house: the lavish plenty, the wonderful table his father set. He fairly drooled when he remembered those sumptuous meals he had enjoyed at home. He also remembered that after the family had eaten, the servants sat down and ate their fill too, of the same delicious food, with even some left over! And here he was, so hungry that he even coveted the husks the swine picked over! HE DECIDED THAT HE MUST GO BACK! Then he remembered that he had disgraced himself. He had violated every precept and advice of his father, and he had already received his share as a son. So there was nothing left for him to go back to. He could not consider himself a son any longer. He said to himself, “If I can’t go back as a son, I’ll go back as a servant. I’ll confess everything I’ve done to my father; I’ll admit I am not worthy to be called his son that I have forfeited that right and I’ll ask him to just hire me as one of his servants.” Having made this decision, he started home immediately.