The father in the story of the prodigal son suffered much. He saw his younger son leave, knowing disappointment, rejection, and abuses faced him. He saw his older son become angry and bitter, and was unable to offer him affection and support. A large part of the fathers life had been spent waiting. He could not force his younger son to come home or his older son to let go of his resentments. Only they themselves could take the initiative to return.
During these long years of waiting the father cried many tears and died many deaths. He was emptied out by suffering. But that emptiness created a place of welcome for his sons when the time of their return came. We are called to become like that father.
This is an excerpt from a book The Tears of the Father by Henri Nouwen.