THE KEY AND THE BIBLE

DO NOT FORGET TO MEDITATE AND PRAY

THE KEY AND THE BIBLE

There was a young man who was about to graduate from college. In a span of many months prior to his graduation, he dreamed of owning one very beautiful sports car that he saw on display in a dealer’s showroom at Makati. Since he knew that his father could afford buying it, (his father was a very successful businessman anyway) he told his father that this was what he wanted as a gift on the day of his graduation.

Graduation day arrived for the young man. He woke up very early. You can tell that he is very excited. Thoughts of a very beautiful,, shiny red sports ca kept playing on his mind. He was hoping that if he went to the garage, he would be able to catch a glimpse of his dream car already parked inside. He hurried to the garage, but he didn’t see any car inside. With a great feeling of disgust, he returned to his room. However, he did not lose hope. He said to himself, “Maybe my dad will bring his gift of a new car later, after all he does love surprises.”

Not long after he retuned to his room, his father called out to him. Whispering to himself, he said: “Maybe now he will give me the keys to the car and tell me where it is!” He approached his father, and his father embraced him so tightly and told him: “You know my son, I am very proud of you. You’re such a fine son and I love you so much.” At the same time, his father gave him his present, which was so wonderfully wrapped.

Because the young man was very curious, he opened the gift and out came a very beautiful leather Bible, on the cover of which his name was prominently embossed. Instead of being pleased, the young man expressed his disappointment and told his father: “You are so rich, and all you can give me is a Bible!” Stamping his feet in anger, he left. After the graduation ceremony, the young man, because of his great displeasure, packed his things and ran away.

After a few years, the young man became successful and was able to establish his own business. He was able to erect his house, own a luxury car, had a wife and three kids. It was then that he remembered of his father. He said to himself, “Dad is already old now I’m sure, maybe I should go and see him.” They hadn’t seen each other since his graduation.

But before he could prepare his things to go home and visit his father, he received a telegram saying that his father had just passed away, and that he was to inherit all his property. For the first time in his life he felt so depressed and so bereaved. It was when he so eagerly wanted to see his father that he passed away. He was beset by great sorrow but he knew he had to go back home to arrange everything especially his father’s funeral.

When he arrived at the house of his father, he couldn’t keep himself from crying. He would have liked to ask forgiveness from his father and tell him that he loved him, but his father could no longer hear him. But he said this anyway, while he cried, his arms wrapped around his father’s coffin.

After the funeral, he thought of entering his father’s bedroom. One by one he looked carefully at his father’s favorite things. He saw his father’s favorite hat; the jacket he used to wear when it was cold; the rocking chair his father would often sit in while taking a rest after eating. There was also a picture hanging on the wall, the two of them, father and son, riding a horse when he was only seven years old.

In searching through the important documents left by his father, he came across the Bible which was still gift-wrapped just like it was, several years ago on the day of his graduation. Tears fell as he opened the Bible because memories of that day flashed back – how he, because of his disgust, did not give importance to his father’s gift. He saw a verse in that Bible which his father underlined in Matthew 7:11, which goes:
“If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

After reading the verse, he was about to close the Bible when something fell on the floor. When he looked , it was a key to a car that was taped to the back of the Bible. That was the key of his father’s gift on the day of his graduation.

MORAL LESSON

Many times in our life, we don’t immediately see or understand the goodness of God because we don’t take time to pray and meditate. Sometimes we even become discontented with Him because what He gives us may seem to be different from what we really want. There are times when we go on trials and think that God is angry with us. What the great Apostle Paul said is really true, “ all things work together for good to those who love God…” Romans 8:28. We just need to learn how to read the events that are happening in our lives.

-Villamor S. Quebral