Utumishi Blog

Picture 1:

“A newly married husband got a scholarship to go abroad. The wife was left expecting their first born and the child grew up not knowing his father. Every time the mother comforted him she told him that his father was abroad and one day he would return. For many years the village boys teased him with the sweets and clothes their fathers had brought them. One day the boy told his friends, “You know what, my dad is abroad, and when he comes, he will bring me sweets, bread, clothes and many other things from far away places.” The boys laughed and made fun of him. The boy kept waiting patiently for his dad.

“One day, a huge man showed up as the boys were playing. He went straight to the boy whose father was abroad. This huge man carried some luggage. “What’s your name?” the man asked. Upon inquiring where the boy’s father was, he answered, “My dad is abroad and when he comes he will bring me clothes, sweets and breads from there.” The man cried at hearing the words from the mouth of this boy. He then reached for his bag and gave the boy all the things he had talked about, saying, “I am your dad.” There was great joy as the two shared their experiences. The boy now had a chance to display to his friends the things his father had given him.

Picture 2:

 “You turned… to wait for his Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:10), “like ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom” (Matt. 25:1), “like men who are waiting for their master to come home” (Luke 12:36). “I sought him whom my soul loves” (Song of Songs 3:1 cf. 3:2; 5:6) “…all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’” (Matt. 25:6) “Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21,23), “with me where I am” (John 17:24). “I found him whom my soul loves, I held him and would not let him go” (Song of Songs 3:4). “We will see him” (1 John 3:2).

Spot the difference?

The first story was given as an illustration of the need for patience and waiting in the Christian life and Christian service. All illustrations have their weaknesses but it makes me think: a) what is the view of God here? b) what is the view of parenting here? c) is there a connection between the two?