April 21, 2012
Today's Photograph . . . . Time Spent With Our Youth Is The Most Extravagant Gift Given And Never A Waste (Donny N) |
Luke 15: 22-24
"But the father said to his servants, '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 fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. (NIV)
Thoughts
(Tom B)
A
couple of years ago my daughter and her husband walked through the
heartbreaking stress of a teenage son's rebellion expressed through drug
and alcohol abuse. He was expelled from high school.
As
he said, "It was either go to jail or join the army." He was joking when
he said it, but he did not realize how correct he was. After receiving
his GED, enlisting in the army, and while preparing for rotation to
Iraq, he went AWOL for almost 60 days.
During this time
he would contact his parents by phone, but would never reveal his
location. Finally, he let his Dad know that he wanted to come home. Most
of the extended family counseled the parents encouraging tough love and
turning their son into the military authorities. But, they didn't.
His
father drove to where the young man was staying and brought him back
into the family. After a couple of weeks at home, the father took his
son back to his military post and the prodigal is now completing his
military obligation in Iraq.
Action Point
This
time in our grandson's and his parents' life is so similar to the
parable of the prodigal son. The wayward son squandered his life through
rebellion, drugs and alcohol. When he wanted to come home, his father
"killed the fattened calf for him! He was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found."
Our grandson's father continued
in his love and faith to his son and would not let go, just as our
heavenly father loves us through hard times and good times.
Those
of us who have not had to go through a trying experience like this one
can reach out and offer love to a youth by introducing them to the
outdoors. Take them on a camping trip, a hike, or a fishing trip. It
doesn't have to be anything elaborate. You just want to show these kids
that there are people out there who love and care for them, even though
they may have messed up their lives.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Get
involved. Big Brothers is one way to mentor a young person. Check with
your local parks and recreation program in your city for other agencies
and opportunities that could use your help.
