The Prodigal Father

The Prodigal Father © 2012 Genesis+Art Studio

The Prodigal Father 

30 x 108 Acrylic 

The Jerry Evenrud Prodigal Son Collection 

Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota


FROM OUR JOURNAL PAGES:
As I turned the story of the Prodigal Son over and over in my head, I began to look at this parable through the eyes of all the family members. I tried to see the perspective as a father, an oldest child and a wayward son, fusing these thoughts with feelings from my own life experiences. I also looked at the definition of prodigal; wasteful on a lavish scale, being one of the meanings for the word. The title of the story tends to direct my focus on the wasteful younger son. But I was drawn to see a parable of a prodigal father; after all, the father knowingly wastes a portion of his wealth giving it to his son. The father must have recognized that his son lacked a sense of direction and was destined to a path that would lead him far from himself and the wisdom he shared. Or perhaps it was the father’s prodigal love that didn’t refuse the request for the early inheritance. The father could have kept his wayward son at home by denying his demand, but releases him into the storms of the world waiting on the road until he sees him again. By our world standards the father seemingly has wasted his time and his resources. The father, who lets the son depart, does not let go of the relationship between them. He waits with his pain and loss, constantly lifting his gaze on the distant landscape until he catches sight of his returning son. It tells me of a heart that was with his son throughout his journey and remained steadfast in his love. Keeping his son in his heart, the father is able to open his arms, exposing his heart and lavishing him with abundant love. Something extraordinarily unexpected happens at the intersection of their embrace.