Ah Zhi’s return with his new wife is a missed opportunity for him to hear his father’s affirmation of love. Instead of confessing, Ah Zhi withholds his prepared speech when his father feigns ignorance of his deceit. Even then, by accepting their presence, Ah Zhi's father offers his silent blessing.

In the Prodigal story, the Elder Son is always home, but he is unreceptive of his Father’s love and desires. Like Ah Zhi, he fools the “Foolish Old Fool” year after year, with charades of compliance rather than true obedience. “Father just won’t understand,” as Ah Zhi rationalizes. Shu Fang, his accomplice, returns to unexpectedly find the father’s blessings of words and work of love. The father knows Shu Fang's heart perhaps more than she herself. “I knew you’d come back,” the father writes expectantly of Shu Fang’s response to news of his death. So, too, the Prodigal’s Father waits patiently, expectantly for his son’s return. True love and blessings are never too late to be given or to receive. We can always return to our Father’s home no matter what seasons in our lives, no matter what we have done. Our Father waits for us to tell us we are missed, we are loved, and we are to be blessed.

“Live well,” as Ah Zhi's father wishes and blesses his children. Such simple words, but what do they mean? How? We don’t know what the Elder Son finally decides in the Biblical story, but the Prodigal will live well — not because he has received the ring and robe and royal feast, but because he has accepted the grace of forgiveness from his Father. He will continue to live with humility, gratitude, and contentment — the basic ingredients of living well. Shu Fang the orphan will live well also, knowing her treasured identity as a beloved daughter adopted by Ah Zhi's father.

Ah Zhi’s father is a counter-cultural Asian parent. His one hope is not that his children succeed or have a suitable marriage, but simply for them to be “healthy and happy.” Maslow’s pyramid of needs peaks with self-actualization, but only our heavenly Father can provide ultimate security, significance, and satisfaction. Holistic health is not simply, or even necessarily, physical well-being. True happiness is not just the experience of inner positive emotions as positive psychologists describe. Health and happiness come from the joy of living with the purpose and meaning for which our Father calls us.

Come home, anytime – it’s always New Year. Come and begin anew with willingness to accept His love in truth.