A little boy on his sixth birthday was overwhelmed with the
compliments his family paid him. “Why, you’re almost a man,” said one uncle. “You
must be ready to get a job by now,” joked another. “Already in first grade”
said an aunt. “You will be in college living in a dorm any day now.” His
grandparents called him their “little man” and his mother and father said that now
that he was 6, he may have to pitch in around the house.
Everyone laughed and had a good time celebrating his special
day.
A week after the party, he got to thinking that he really
was getting older and maybe he should go off on his own. So he packed his
backpack with his pajamas and favorite stuffed monkey, grabbed his toothbrush and
went to the kitchen to say goodbye to his parents.
Imagine their surprise when he declared his intention and
kissed them both goodbye. His mother was about to stop him when his father
intervened. “Son” he said, “it’s going to be hard out there but you know that
we support you and whatever you want to do. Make sure to stay in touch.”
The boy walked out of the house, full of enthusiasm and
excitement and walked away. As soon as he left the yard, the father snuck out
and followed him. When the boy got to the corner, right at the busy street, he
stopped and looked round and then he sat down. His father walked next to him
and feigned surprise at seeing him. “Well, look who’s here! How are you doing?”
“Fine, but I can’t go any further. I think I will come back.
Is that okay?”
“Of course, but why did you stop here?”
The boy looked at him, almost surprised at the question. “Dad…there
is no crossing guard here, and you told me I can’t cross by myself.”
The father took his son’s hand, and they walked back home
together.
Is this how our faith life goes? We live under God’s protection
for our whole life till one morning we think that we can do it on our own. It
may be the encouragement of our peers or someone we respect. It may be an
inkling, or a whisper…it may be a great event or surprising personal success
that convinces us that we are capable of functioning in life without God.
So we move away from our home of grace and mercy, thinking
we are wise and free and independent. But there will be trials and temptations.
There will be highs and lows, good times and bad. And ultimately, there will be
that time when we have to choose things of man or of heaven. Will we
unthinkingly walk into sin, knowing this is a choice contrary to everything we
have been taught? Or will we stop and
wait, to find that God has been walking with us, to watch over us, even when we
thought we were on our own.
When you are lost or dejected or confused, just turn and
reach up your hand. God will be there to hold it, and guide you back to safety
in His presence.
