The Unknown Father 4

Today is a day of the instant.  We stand in front of the microwave yelling at “Minute Rice” that it has been thirty (30) seconds already.  We want it and we want it now.  This is a sad commentary on our society.  It has crept into the Church too, unfortunately.

As we look again today at “The Unknown Father” I would like to look at his longsuffering.  This is a lost art in our world.  We want swift justice.  We want immediate revenge (or sooner).  This man shows that he is longsuffering.  What does that mean really?  It means patiently bearing continual wrongs or trouble.

Look at Mark 9:18, “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.”  Look at what he has had to endure watching is son experience, “he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away”.  Can you imagine watching this take place?  I cannot.  Although, I have.  I pray that I never have to again.

It takes a special parent to have a child like this.  I do not say this to pat myself on the back. I say this to bring awareness.  Families with children who have special needs are special families.  They are people that live being longsuffering.  You must have this attribute our you will not make it.  Far too many parents run out when the going gets tough so to speak.  I feel so sorry for them.  They miss out on so much by being absentee.

The next time your child or someone else gets on your nerves just remember that Jesus is longsuffering with you and you need to be with others also.  This is easy for me to say right now; but, it is extremely difficult in some circumstances I know.  Try it.

So, how are you doing?