Read Luke 15:11-32 with your family.

When we read this story about the lost son, so many focus on the younger son who realized he made a mistake by leaving his father’s home, and returned asking for some basic help, but instead found himself treated like a returning prince. We do not spend much time looking at the older brother outside of thinking he is selfish for not wanting to celebrate and share with his brother.

But what happens when we realize that both sons were lost?

We know how the younger son was lost, but what about the older son? He did not see his place in his father’s house as special simply because his father did not celebrate him in the same way. But his father DID celebrate him.

The older son did not understand that what he received from his father was always there and always would be. They shared trust and were together for all the good times and bad times. The oldest son was reliable and had his father’s trust. The father celebrated his older son every day in countless ways, big and small.

Sometimes we only see the big parties but not the every day events that celebrate us. Try to see those every day things. They add up and show us how special we are all the time.