In the familiar story of the prodigal son, the wayward younger son of a rich man asks for the distribution of his inheritance, leaves his father’s house, and proceeds to waste his legacy on immature, immediate pleasures. When his resources are spent, he is reduced to a demeaning lifestyle. He realizes that he has made a big mistake, and he makes a plan to return home, hoping that his father will forgive him. Before asking his father for forgiveness, the son likely realizes he first must forgive himself. Only then is he able to take the risk that his father will welcome him back in the grace of full forgiveness.