Let's All Celebrate.....The Return

Luke 15:21-24 (ESV) ²¹And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'^{[a] 22}But the father said to his servants,^[b] 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

Pictured is the people of Katskatera, Africa that live on a mountain, and due to their lack of resources they are starving.   It was a 25mile trek up the mountain and due to the terrain (unpaved road) it took is 3 hrs to get up the mountain in a volkswagon van, that at one point we had to get out to walk because 12 of us was proving to be too much for the transmission on such terrain.  But once we got to the center these beautiful people awaited us.   Some of which traveled 12.5 miles by foot just to be there (some featured in suits) and others waited patiently for us to complete the trip for a few hours....but nonetheless when we arrived their was this exuberant joy filled with singing, dancing and hugs.   Were we lost?  No.  Had we chose a different path contrary to Christ?  No.  Were we bringing supplies or even food?  No (I wish we were...cause they were in need).  Were we bringing money or even a truck for them to keep so that getting the gov't provided food they'd have access to it now?  NO NO NO NO.....so why were they celebrating?  Because we had traveled many many many miles (from America) to come and just BE (not do.....but JUST BE) with them. 
In today's story the father saw a reason to celebrate the return of his wayward son, and I can identify with his feelings of having a child, or a love one who has chosen to "do their own thang" and how you worry about them, and really just want them to return, and when they do....let's party!   But what about you?  Do  you celebrate, or praise GOD ANY DIFFERENT when someone returns to work, home, or church after being away?  The people of Katskatera, DIDNT EVEN KNOW US, but they knew GOD, and they went all out to tell HIM THANK YOU FOR US! 
Here's a link to my friend Brian Ames (one of his favorite songs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPF4BR8ECp0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL494D5F5074EBC676 Let's All Celebrate and I challenge each of you today to CELEBRATE GOD's blessing of/on someone you know, or work with, or heard of coming back home.  Maybe you need to think back to Sunday/Saturday when you saw _________________________ and you hadn't seen them in awhile.    If they angels rejoice of just one (Luke 15:7-10)......so should you!  Let's All Celebrate!