T w o   S o n s

                                                               

O n e    F a t h e r

                                                               

A quick walk in the neighborhood can bring surprises.

Recently on such a walk, I rounded a corner where several women sat outside their home with furniture and other possessions displayed around them.

A small table lamp caught my attention. It would help me when I sit up on my bed  with the laptop on my knees, working on an article or photo project. Giving the lamp to one lady, I asked, "Could you keep it for me until tomorrow? I don't have any money with me now." She agreed, and we exchanged some family information.

Her two sons were in the U.S. Army, she said.

"One of them is in the honor guard at the Arlington National Cemetary, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

When he was a child, her other son liked to make little bombs. He got into trouble once when he blew up a mail box. Therefore it was no surprise to the family when this son ended up in the army demolition training program, and learned to defuse anti-personnel bombs. This son was now in the Middle East.

The training and present duties of these sons presented a stark contrast to my mind.  "Your two sons appear to be polar opposites,"       I said.

"It's like I see a split screen: on one a snappy soldier mounts guard over one of the most famous monuments in America. His appearance is sharp and his discipline, faultless."

On the opposite side of my mind's screen, the lady's other son was dressed in desert camoflage, loaded with tool belts and weapons, and looking stressed! His superior and several others watched from a distance as this single soldier endeavored to defuse a bomb hidden in a civilian vehicle.

I said goodbye and that I would return for the lamp the next day, then turned to continue my walk. Later, the ideas on my "split screen"  began to enlarge.

Two sons, very different, growing up together in one household.

Sibling rivalry is normal - with these two it may have been intense. 

One must have wanted to please his parents, while the other had a wild streak and wanted to blow things up with a loud BANG!

Hmmm - there's another story about two sons and their father.  One was obedient, following his father's directions at all times. The other wanted freedom to enjoy himself and his inheritance NOW! He became a prodigal, and learned some very hard lessons before he got so low that he headed home a beaten and needy man.

Here's how it reads:

"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Prodigal Son

 And He said, "A man had two sons.

 "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me. ' So he divided his wealth between them.

"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'

"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

"And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'

"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'

"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.

'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"   Luke 15:10-32 

Jesus told this tragic story to his followers, and gave it a happy ending. We can choose our path, and we will reap the consequences if our choices are selfish and wasteful. 

But we will always be welcomed back to Father's House when we come with humility.

If, however, we have not departed from our duty of obedience, we are lovingly warned not to judge others self-righteously.

A son is, after all, a son -- and a daughter is a daughter. 

         Our Father loves us all!