I recently finished "Long Way Gone" by Charles Martin. This is the first time I have ready anything by Mr. Martin and the book was outstanding! The description from Amazon.com says:
“No matter where you go, no matter whether you succeed or fail, stand or fall, no gone is too far gone. You can always come home.”This was more than just a retelling of the prodigal son. The story was beautiful, heartbreaking, humorous and joyful. The descriptions Mr. Martin uses are so good. His writing style was very enjoyable. I finished the book on Sunday and continue to think about it. Along with the telling of Cooper's story there is a lot about music that I found insightful as well, which will be a post for another day.
At the age of eighteen, musician and songwriter Cooper O’Connor took everything his father held dear and drove 1,200 miles from home to Nashville, his life riding on a six-string guitar and the bold wager that he had talent. But his wager soon proved foolish.
Five years after losing everything, he falls in love with Daley Cross, an angelic voice in need of a song. But just as he realizes his love for Daley, Cooper faces a tragedy that threatens his life as well as his career. With nowhere else to go, he returns home to the remote Colorado mountains, searching for answers about his father and his faith.
When Daley shows up on his street corner twenty years later, he wonders if it’s too late to tell her the truth about his past—and if he is ready to face it himself.
A radical retelling of the prodigal son story, Long Way Gone takes us from tent revivals to the Ryman Auditorium to the tender relationship between a broken man and the father who never stopped calling him home.
We all have prodigals in our lives. Sons, daughters, friends, family members. People we went to camp with, prayed with, sat next to in Sunday school or sang in the choir with. They need to know that they can come home. Many kicked us on their way out, but they need to know that they have a safe place to return to.
We can't see the road the prodigal has traveled. We might see them from time to time, but we can't see their hearts. Maybe we haven't seen them in decades, but we need to keep looking down the road for their return.
Maybe it's you that is the prodigal. You left with your head held high and dreams that couldn't be squashed. Maybe you're still living high. But there's a piece of you that wants to come home. A song you hear on the wind calling you back. Please come home.
Cooper's father said it best, "No matter where you go, no matter whether you succeed or fail, stand or fall, no gone is too far gone. You can always come home.” The road back won't be easy, dear prodigal, but please know you can always come home. Unfortunately not everyone will wait with open arms, some haven't recovered from the pain you inflicted. But there is a Father watching the road and looking for you.
If you've been praying for a prodigal, I encourage you to keep praying. They may be making their way home even now. No gone is too far gone.
