A Father's Love, by Doug Bartlett

It seemed like yesterday that he graduated from high school. Now here he was getting ready to graduate from college. Not just any college, but a prestigious university. Fortunately, his wealthy father could afford it. Unfortunately, they had a terrible argument when he first left for school and hadn’t spoken to each other the entire time. His father tried to reconcile many times but wasn’t successful due to his son’s pride. One day he received a phone call from his father’s neighbor. The neighbor said his father had just passed away and he wanted to let his son know that he loved him, was proud of him, and had a graduation gift for him. The son decided to make the long trip home. He found himself thinking more about the gift than about his father. What could it be, he thought. He finally decided that it must be a new car. He had worked hard the last several years and besides, his father could easily afford it. As he parked in front of the house he noticed the driveway was empty. He peered through the garage window but it only revealed his father’s old car. He entered through the front door and as he walked through the house he noticed the nicely wrapped gift on the kitchen table. He quickly disposed of the card with his name on it, and began tearing into the package. He was extremely disappointed and upset when he discovered it was a Bible. He tossed the Bible back onto the table as he stormed out of the house slamming the door behind him, never to return. Unfortunately, he didn’t see the shiny key peeking out from a page of the Bible where his father had circled a single verse. The key had an attached tag of the local car dealership where the son’s brand new sports car was waiting for him. Oh, the verse? “Matthew 7:11-” “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask.”