This past Sunday, being Fathers day, I preached on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The Son who rebelled against his Father thinking he knew better but fell victim to bad friends and bad habits. This story, however, is not about the son but his Father. The Father had so much confidence in his love for his son that he allowed him to go into the world knowing that love would bring him back.
This morning my son Michael went to Camp Happyland. This is his second experience at camp, however, his first was not great. The other children ridiculed him, talked about things that he didn't want to hear and the offshoot was an 8 year old boy who didn't want to go back to camp this year. After Michael and I talked, he decided that he should go because the other boys needed to see Michael's example. In truth, part of me wanted to keep him home so that I might protect him from the harshness 0f life's realities but, just like the Father of the Prodigal Son, I need to allow him to get a taste of the world so he might better understand the blessings of God, and the depth of love from his family.
A Salvation Army camp brings so many children from so many backgrounds together. Many of the children are hardened by life at an early age. Their awareness of 'adult issues' is a travesty to childhood, and the burdens so many carry will affect their entire lives. In the midst of this there need to be children who have experienced real love, in the hope that the other children will see something both appealing and desirable.
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