In the story of the prodigal son, we often focus on the son’s mistakes.

But the real focus of the story is the heart of the Father. When the son returned home, the father didn’t shame him or make him earn his way back. Instead, he restored him. He gave him a robe, a ring, and sandals.

The robe represented a new identity.

The ring represented authority.

The sandals represented purpose.

God doesn’t just forgive us — He restores us and calls us to walk forward in the life He has for us.