Rise, and Go to Your Father

“If you pull into my driveway and honk, you better be dropping off a package, because you’re sure not picking anything up.”

I first read these words in the pages of W. Bruce Cameron’s “8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter,” (that’s Rule No. 5, by the way).

There’s a certain respect that is shown by someone who takes the time to come to the door, ring the bell and wait to be greeted. Being willing to go through the niceties for the sake of appearances is a small act of deference on the part of the person doing the picking-up, even if it’s not for a date. Without it, the whole scenario becomes entitled.

I want you to think of something that you want or need, but do not have. Is it peace? Is it financial stability? Is it strength? Is it friendship?

The brother of the prodigal son had a lot of unexpressed desires. He sees his brother heaped with gifts and favors, feasting on the fattened calf, and he is enraged. I haven’t been given half of that , he thinks, and I’ve worked so hard.

But for all his faithfulness, one has to wonder — did this son ever simply ask for what he needed? Did he get out of the car, so to speak, and ring the bell? Or did he sit in the driveway leaning on the horn?

God wants us to come before Him. He wants us to ask. He wants us to be like Moses — sure enough of our Father’s indulgence to boldly ask for it. Think again about what you need but do not have, and ask yourself: Have I approached the door and rung the bell?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS