We were seated in a semi circle enjoying the summer breeze in the evening.
The conversation got round to what happens when the children grow up and have lifestyles that go against the values with which they were brought up. It was fascinating listening to the various views on what we do when our hearts are broken by the ways in which the children depart from the path on which they were set.
One particular comment intrigued me. A brother who had experience as the son and later as the father remarked on the importance of standards and values embedded from the early age both in instruction and example. He spoke about for all the wild times he had, his parents never gave up on him. Eventually he returned to his senses, settled down and took his responsibilities seriously.
As his own son came of age, he too decided to do his own thing, go his own way and leave all he knew. With the experience the brother had, he was able to let his son carry out his plan, however much he knew it could seriously backfire. When it did, the son knew it was time to go back to his Dad, admit his mistakes and be a man, taking responsibility for his actions. The brother wasn’t one for expressing emotions of the softer sort, but even he felt such overwhelming love for his son, that he had no qualms at all welcoming his son home and offering full support for his son’s endeavours.
In sharing his experience, the brother remarked on how he felt it was almost like the Bungee cord. The child may go far, far away from the source to unfamiliar environments, but because of the cord when they reach the very end of the line, they know where to come back.
It reminded me of a parable Jesus told at some point … It will come back to me.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 