Calvin Synod Herald, 2003 (104. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2003-05-01 / 5-6. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD (The Younger Brother - continued from page 5) fully taught them through the years. The whole family enjoyed the books, and from time to time could be seen reading them when farm life permitted such a luxury. The younger brother became so engrossed in the books that he began to let his chores slide to have more time to read the books. His father was forced to set limits and designate times when the younger son could read the books. Particularly concerned that in his zeal for the encyclopedias the younger son was skipping his daily Bible reading. He was often found withdrawn to himself reading these instead of the Bible on Sunday too. At the insistence of the father, the younger son yielded and appeared to return to normal. During the annual trip to the market to sell some of the excess of their crops and purchase needed supplies for the winter the younger son found an advertisement about Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. From that moment the younger son decided this was the place for him. He didn’t show the advertisement to his father; he knew what his father would say about people so scantily clad and apparently having so much fun would be. The younger son hid the advertisement and dreamed of the day he could move to the beach. As he neared his 18th birthday the younger son had become very unhappy and spent more time alone with his dreams. His father asked his young son what was the matter. The younger son told him of his dream of the beach. The son continued that he had decided that farm life just was not for him, and wanted to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since they didn’t have money and it appeared he never would have any money the dream would never be and this had made him extremely sad. The father explained that they had everything they needed on the farm and they were happy and safe. The younger son however, would not be consoled. One day, the father called the son aside and told him. “Son, you know that one day all of this will belong to you and your brother, and you will be establishing your own family.” Still the son wasn’t satisfied so the father said to him, “Son, I have put together an amount of money that is equal to what your part of the farm would be when I die. If you insist, you may take your inheritance now and go wherever you like. The younger son, seized the money and headed for the beach immediately, not even bothering to pack his clothes. He wouldn’t need them where he was going. They were for the mountains and work. For several months the younger son was happily surrounded by friends and had party every night. As time passed and his money began to dwidle he found he had fewer friends until a day came when he found himself alone on the beach with no friends or money. He had been tossed out of his apartment because he couldn’t pay the rent. He didn’t have any money and was watching the trash cans to salvage bits of food the tourists threw away before it became too soiled. He tried to find work, but none was to be had, not for him anyway. The friends of yesterday were not to be found now that he needed them. The boy found himself sadder than he knew a person could be. He decided he would go home and beg his father to let him sleep in the barn and work on the farm for his food, at least he would have a roof over his head and food in his belly. After a long trip of hitchhiking and walking, mostly walking, the boy began the climb up the last hill home. From the top of the hill he heard a shout and saw his father running down the hill toward him. The father grabbed the son and hugged him closely and said, “Welcome home son.” The father then kneeled and began to thank God, saying, “Thank you father, my son who was lost, my son who was dead, you have returned to me.” Compare this story to Luke 15:11-32. In what ways is this story similar? In what ways is this story different? What does this story say about sinners who have taken God’s blessing and then turned away from God? Do you think a sinner can return home as this boy did? Why or why not? What would a sinner need to do to be found of God and return home? Who is a sinner that you personally know? (Hint: Read Romans 3:23) Dr. Chuck Baynard Mrs. Mary Ellen Stone and her daughter Alicia received diplomas from the consistory of Reformed Presbyterian Church in Manassas, Virginia, for recitation of the Heidelberg Catechism in April. Manyin Calvin Synod remember Mrs. Stone's years of service on the staff of Friends United for Life, a pro-family ministry for renewal in the United Church. Another catechism class consisting entirely of adults has begun.
