The song, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, is about a man released from prison who wasn’t sure whether the woman he loved would accept him back, or reject him. He wrote and asked her forgiveness and requested that, if she could forgive him, she tie a yellow ribbon around the oak tree at the entrance to town. That way, he’d know whether or not to get off the bus.

On the trip home, he shared his story with some fellow passengers. When the bus finally pulled into town, they erupted into cheers – for the oak tree had not only one yellow ribbon, but a hundred ribbons tied around it. Instantly he knew that she not only forgave him, she wanted him home with all of her heart.

And that’s what it will be like for those of us who’ve given our hearts to Jesus and asked him to forgive our sins. He’ll welcome us into heaven some day with a million yellow ribbons!