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Taking A Chance To Become Prodigally Experienced?
DOVER TOWNSHIP, N.J., A 10-year-old boy has been charged with stabbing his father to death as the two argued over a missing can of chocolate cake frosting, authorities said.
Andrew Harms, 38, accused his son of taking the icing, goaded the boy and even handed him a 5-inch kitchen knife during Monday night’s argument, Ocean County Prosecutor E. David Millard said.
“The discussion became heated and emotional. At that point, Mr. Harms picked up a knife and placed it in the juvenile’s hand and stated that if he hated him that much, then he wanted him to stab him,” he said.
His son then allegedly plunged it once into the man’s chest. Harms died an hour later. Millard would not discuss the prior relationship between the boy and his father except to say there had been “some emotional turmoil.” (Associated Press - March 15, 2000)
It’s been said taking chances can be a good experience. It’s also been said that experience is knowing a lot of things you shouldn’t do. Looks like Mr. Harms took one chance too many to learn one final thing he shouldn’t have done.
Taking chances and gaining experience. Gaining experience by taking chances. Even when it comes to the experience gained by taking a chance with forays into sin, we’ve long tied the two together as an expected and (by some) acceptable rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. Do the two really (have to) go together? Sure seems that way sometimes doesn’t it? But, should we be so quick to embrace the notion that it’s a good growing experience? I’m inclined to think not.
“And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ” (Luke 15:11-13)
No doubt, most will recognize those words from one of Jesus’ more well known parables, “The Prodigal Son”. Some of us like to use this story as one of those “there’s no place like home” tales that demonstrate the fact we can’t appreciate what we have until we turn our back to it. A story that makes it seemingly apparent that it’s really nothing more than part of the growing up process to turn from what’s known to be right, to what’s known to be wrong, back to what’s known to be right. A story that lends sympathy to the “it could be worse”, “it might be a good experience”, “boys will be boys”, “they have to learn for themselves”, or “we’ve all done it” arguments that’ve been made countless times over in an effort to provide comfort in the face of a potential right around the corner disaster or pacify a conscience burdened with the wondering of what was left undone.
I’ve known folks who the only way (it seemed) they could learn not to play with a loaded gun was to shoot themselves with it. In the same kind of way, some may have to learn firsthand of the dangers of sin in order to leave it alone. Having said that, I believe those who do show a willingness to learn from the experience of making mistakes (a kind and over-used euphemism for sin) may have a greater advantage in fighting the ounce of prevention war to help others ward off similar mistakes. I also believe that most of those same experienced individuals would readily trade that advantage for an opportunity to do things differently; an opportunity to remove the memories and consequences of their misadventures with sin.
Sometimes we forget. We forget that there are no circumstances where it’s better to have gained experience from sin. Weforget that sin, repented of or otherwise, always takes away more than it gives. We forget that not every story has a happy ending. We forget that, for every one who comes back home from a far country, a good many more never do.
“ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him .” (Luke 15:20)
“ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents .”(Luke 15:10)
We must never forget nor underestimate the goodness, grace, and greatness of God who waits with open arms for us to come home to Him. But really, wouldn’t it be better to not take the chance of venturing off and becoming lost in that far country? Wouldn’t it be better not to take the chance of losing the way home? Wouldn’t it be better to gain our experience in a nearcountry? Wouldn’t it be better just too simply never leave your Heavenly Father’s house?
~Teddy Horton < teddy@procaremedicalinc.net>
