Of Going Alone

Read John 14:6-7; 16:12-13

Steven was not quite two years old the day he headed down our long driveway toward the road one fall afternoon. He knew his daddy was coming home from work, and I suppose he thought to meet him at the end of the driveway where it met the road.

We were living on Worm Ranch Road at the time. Steven had been playing in the yard while I worked, asking every now and then “Where daddy?“

“He’ll be home soon. Daddy’s at work,“ I told him more than once.

Soon, I noticed it was quiet, and my little boy had not asked me a question lately. He was nowhere in the yard, and instinct told me to look down the driveway. There he was, toddling away. I ran after him, he a good fifty feet ahead of me. I called his name. He stopped and turned toward my voice. When he saw me, he said “I go see daddy!” in a tone of innocent reassurance. Then, he confidently turned back to his mission, and continued walking.

In the meantime, I ran ever faster to stop him. There was another fifty feet or more before he would reach the road. Clearly he had no idea of the dangers that lay ahead as he set off on this little journey to the road. I shouted after him, this time I was much closer. He turned and said, more determinedly, “I go see daddy!” and started running away from me.

I called again, this time using all three of his given names, first, middle, and last, and the word “STOP!” There was no mistaking my intent when I would catch up to him. He stopped fast and began to cry.

When I did catch up to him, I picked him up and hugged him. I told him we would walk down to the road together to meet daddy, that he should never go alone again. I didn’t explain all the dangers of his attempt to go alone. He would not have understood.

Jesus told us that he would never leave us nor forsake us, and that through him we can be with the Father. There are no words or deeds that will help us get closer to our Father than that we accept what has already been given to us in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Attempting to live in this world alone, without our Lord and Savior, holds dangers we cannot begin to fathom.

During this season of Advent, allow time each day to listen for the words of the Holy Spirit. Read the Book daily, and pray. Don’t go it alone.

Prayer: Father, in joy we remember the birth of Jesus. In love we receive him, and with a quiet and humble heart we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to what is true and right in all matters of the heart, mind, and soul. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

 

Click here to view a beautiful print by Ron DiCianni called Never Alone.