Sometimes when our teachings aren't heeded and when our expectations are not met, we need to remind ourselves to leave the door to our hearts open. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we find a powerful lesson of families, and especially parents. After the younger son came to himself, he decided to go home. How did he know his father wouldn't reject him? Because he knew his father. Through the inevitable misunderstandings, conflicts, and follies of his youth, I can visualize his father being there with an understanding and compassionate heart, a soft answer, a listening ear, a forgiving embrace. I can also imagine his son knowing he could come home, because he knew the kind of home that was awaiting him, for the Scriptures say, and when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell upon his neck and kissed him. I testify that our Heavenly Father leaves the door open. I also testify it will never be too late to open the door between us and our children with the simple words such as I love you, I am sorry, and please forgive me.

We can begin now to create a home which they will want to return to. Not only now, but in the eternities.