Every Parent's Worst Fear. . .
(a simple story based on true events)
The family was winding down from their mini-vacation at the big city and the long holiday weekend. They'd been planning the trip a while and had pooled together with some relatives and neighbors to make the outing more fun as a group. They'd even brought camping gear to enjoy nature's beauty instead of using the customary lodgings along the way. It wasn't that they were a poor lot either, merely a frugal family who chose to use their resources wisely.
It had been a nice festival with plenty to do. They tended however to steer clear from many of the otherwise exotic secular activities that the big city offered, themselves having a more devoutly spiritual philosophy for life. Everyone was now tired however and were ready for days of travel it would take them to get home. Evening was approaching, so the group hurried to gather their belongings and depart. They rushed along getting a head start on the droves of traffic that would be leaving later, hoping to find camp at one of the rest areas down the road. After many long hours and well into the night, fatigue finally set in. It was agreed that the next good spot would do for the night. They found a comfortable location and quickly set up, looking forward to some well deserved rest.
When morning came, everybody slept in a bit. Eventually they rose, the adults getting together to prepare brunch and pack the campsite. One woman came over, remarking how well their children had been getting along all weekend as they glanced over at them playing next to the camp. "Your boy still sleeping in?", she inquired. The mother looked at her somewhat astonished, "Wasn't he with your family last night?", a sudden empty feeling hitting her stomach. Their eyes widened together and nothing more needed be said. They frantically searched the site, peeking into every corner. She then ran to her husband in dismay. Although equally concerned, he comforted her as they recounted the events, concluding that the boy must still be back in the city.
Quickly gathering the men folk, they left the rest behind and headed back towards the cosmopolitan town. It would take many hours even at their hastened speed. Not barely a teenager, this had been the boy's first trip to such a large bustling place. His parents were worried that the worst could happen. Even the men avoided certain notorious places at night, full of questionable characters and nothing like the quaint surroundings of their hometown. Their hearts pounded fervently all the way there.
On arriving, they split up to cover more places in less time. Each of them went from building to building providing a description of the boy, but with no results. After searching most the night, the couple grew weary and decided to get lodgings. They could resume promptly at the morning's light. At least then they might get additional help from the authorities. Still troubled, they quickly fell asleep from exhaustion.
Awaking for an early start they retraced their paths again. At one point the couple remembered the shrine they had visited, a holy place of regular pilgrimages. Crossing the city they made their way to the temple. On arrival they went inside and entered the foyer. The parents gasped as they saw their son sitting there talking with its stewards. The lad met his mother's eyes as she ran over, grabbing the boy with her loving embrace. Looking at him she questioned: "Son, why have you done this? We've been anxiously looking for you." Wiping her tears, he smiled and said, "Why did you seek me? Didn't you know that I must be about My Father’s business?" The couple just smiled at Jesus, realizing their son was growing up, becoming "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:40)
The point of this story is not so much the fact that the boy was Jesus. But, if we as parents can properly raise our children, giving them wisdom and God's love; then the Lord's grace will always be with them... and when the time comes, they will be safe and know how to make the proper decisions.
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"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)
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"Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:9-11 NKJ)
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"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor."
(Job 11:13-19 NKJ)
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