The
Stranger
A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger
who
was new to our small town. From
the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon
invited him to live with our family.The stranger was
quickly accepted and was around from then on. As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary
instructors:Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey.But the
stranger... he was our storyteller.He would keep us spellbound for hours on end
with adventures,mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history
or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present
and even seemed able to predict the future!
He took my family to the first major league ball
game.He made me laugh, and he made me cry.
The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't
seem to mind. Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were
shushing each other to listen to what
he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.(I wonder now
if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.) Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home - not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and it made my dad squirm and my mother blush. My Dad didn't permit the use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much to freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked ...And NEVER asked to leave.
More than sixty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents' den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
Their first child is "Cell Phone."Second child "IPod.” And MOST RECENTLY BORN WAS a Grandchild: “IPAD.” Anonymous
OH MY----HOW TRUE THIS IS!!!
The scary part is how fertile they are and the gestation period for the next
intrusions are getting shorter and shorter!!!I
intrusions are getting shorter and shorter!!!I
Who will you ask into your home?
I desire to have a Christ-centered home; a home where the Savior would be welcomed in. " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20
Who will you ask into your home?
I desire to have a Christ-centered home; a home where the Savior would be welcomed in. " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20
8 comments:
Amen, sad but true sweet sis.
Another great post LeAnn! WE have a rule in our house. If we are watching a show and it starts to be a bit uncomfortable, we just ask ourselves, would we be watching this if the Saviour were here. If the answer is no . . . we change the channel. Love you! xxoo
Beautiful Analogy and so very true. I'm grateful most of my children put guidelines on this stranger and his family.
He has brought blessings to us all, and I am grateful for him--within limitations.
Thank You LeAnn!! We too struggle with the stranger. We are actively seeking ways to control this intrusion and unwanted influence. Ideas are always needed.
A great, thoughtful entry LeAnn! I enjoyed reading this!
This is a great little parable.
=)
The stranger is there, but there nothing to watch. He mostly collects dust an I love it:)
Board games have replaced the stranger.
Thanks for instilling the love of board games into my life.
Love you Much, Mom:)
So true! Thanks for sharing that.
It's best to only listen to these strangers for a specific, pre-determined purpose.
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