Many years ago, the famous author Hemingway began his short story “The Capital of the World” with two boys named Paco. One Paco is fatherless. The other Paco, however, has a father desperately searching for him. This dad is so lovesick, in fact, he travels all the way to Madrid, Spain to put an advertisement in the newspaper. The advertisement reads: “PACO, MEET ME AT HOTEL MONTANA NOON TUESDAY ALL IS FORGIVEN, PAPA.” Surprisingly, in response to the ad, 800 young men show up. Eight hundred! It seems Hemingway knew a little something about that inner longing we have for a father’s unconditional love. He understood that desire to belong, to be accepted, to be known and and also what it feels like when those longings go unmet as well.

If you find yourself today feeling like the other Paco, the fatherless one, know that you are not alone. But know this too. No matter what your situation or circumstance, you have a heavenly Father who is always searching for you. He’ll go anywhere, do anything. And if you come to Him, He won’t walk but will run undignified down the dirt path. He’ll throw open His arms. He’ll bring out His “best robe” and kill the “fattened calf” just to celebrate you (Luke 15:22). Whatever it takes, God the Father wants you to know—with Him, you’re never lost.

You’re found.

All you have to do is come. So, come today and experience afresh your heavenly Father’s genuine affection for you. Spend a few minutes in His Word. Scribble down your thoughts into prayer. Or just rest your soul in soothing songs of worship until you feel His presence surround you once again. Because, like the parable of the prodigal son, God our Father does not judge or condemn those who come running to Him. Rather, He’s satisfies our soul’s need for significance in ways that only a Papa can.

*First published by The Joyful Life Magazine.