On His island, twelve pillars to the left and twelve pillars to the right, I found myself right in the middle, at the bottom of the fleet of stairs to His sanctuary.

Hungry, half-asleep, confused and naked, I could not figure out how I got there. I tried to use some leaves to cover what was left of my dignity, as I saw Him walk down the stairs in all His majesty.

I was stinking, wet and soaked in a mixture of urine, alcohol and pigs faeces. But He picked me up, looked at me and smiled. I could not look at Him. I was filled with shame, fear and regret. I am worse than the prodigal son. I have failed Him in more ways than one, but he keeps on welcoming me back, He keeps on healing my wounds.

He washed away all the dirt from my body at the sea, He oiled my skin with a sweet-smelling fragrance and He clothed me with the silkiest white robe. I stared away into the sea, I could not bear the glow in His eyes. I could not understand how someone could love someone as much as He loves me. I have stolen from Him, taken Him for granted, insulted Him, nailed Him to the cross and destroyed His temple more than a million times. But He keeps on throwing a feast whenever I find my way back to His island.

He walked me to His palace, where He had already prepared a bouquet just for me. I could not bear the beauty of His Abode, so I turned around and ran towards the harbour.

He appeared before me, just before I arrived at His city wall. He calmly asked me to take a walk with Him.

„Why do you keep on running away from me, my son?“ He asked me as I followed Him.

„Isn’t it obvious?! I do not deserve any of these any more!“ I shouted as I pointed at His golden city. „I have squandered your wealth, I have stolen from you, I have destroyed a lot of your properties, I have done unspeakable things! I am damaged!!“

„Yes, you might have lost yourself a couple of times, but I keep on finding you. Not only because I have the power to, but because I love you. I am your father, your creator, your best friend. My undying love for you has been there, even before I created you. Haven’t you seen yourself in the mirror? Or haven’t you ever taken a ‘Selfie’? You were created in my image. Carefully, wonderfully and fearfully made!“

I bowed my head in shame, as I poured out my excuses. „Life influenced me. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to feel among, so I kept on stealing from you! But life keeps demanding for more, asking me to constantly adjust and change myself to please other people in order to be able to move forward. I got used to the hatred, insults and disappointments that life throws at me. I always feel out of place, like a misfit, like I am alone!“

„I have told you times without number, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE! I created you to stand out. You were created to manifest my glory. You have royal blood flowing through your veins, but you behave like a commoner because you have refused to follow my instructions.

You have refused to acknowledge the fact that I am your father, that is why you break into your own house and steal from it. I know that the journey of life is not easy, that is why I keep on giving you suggestions and directions. But you ignore me all the time, and that is why I always allow you to enjoy your freedom. I know that you know that there is no other place in the universe that can be compared to your Home here with me.

You are never alone because I watch over you. You just have to call my name and I am already there. I am not stalking you though“, he smiled. „I steer you in the right direction and allow you to make up your mind. You know my plans for you, they are so glorious to the extent that I do not want to lose you! But you have to make up your mind because unlike in my kingdom, life is all about time. You are a soldier and there are a lot of people who are depending on your obedience and service!“

At this point, we were at the bottom of a fleet of stairs, where I found myself mysteriously. „Let go of the temptations and learn to forgive yourself because I have already forgiven you! You don’t have to run away. If you do not stand out and accept your values, life will keep on dumping you at this point“, he pointed at the place he picked me up from. „And that would continue until the end of time!“

We walked up the stairs. The doors to His sanctuary automatically opened. „You can NEVER be ALONE when you are related to all these people“, he pointed at all the royally dressed people who were in the room. They bowed their heads as we walked to His throne.

He went ahead of me, ascended to His throne, turned to me and said, „The world is just a market place. When it is night, everyone has to go back home. Always remember that this is your Home and your family is here. Remember to come back home! You can even come back with all of your friends“, he winked at me.

„Before you continue on your journey, let us celebrate!“ He raised His sceptre, „Let the feast begin!“

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