Not A Happy Camper

-April 17, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.”

(Luke 15:27-28).

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:11-32, is a wonderful story that Jesus taught. It has so many lessons, mostly centered around the younger son and his father, and rightly so. But Jesus also spoke of the older son and his reaction to younger brother’s homecoming.

When the younger came home, the older brother was out working out in the field. As he approached the home, he heard music and dancing, and I’m sure it was loud and joyful. The older son asked one of the servants what was going on. He then found out: his younger brother who had left, spent all his money on sinful, wasteful living, was having a big party.

Instead of being happy, he was angry and refused to go into the house where the party was taking place. He was envious and jealous. He questioned his father why after all these years of his faithful service, was he not given a party with friends. He felt unappreciated.

The story is told of a little girl’s birthday party that illustrates the attitude of the older son in the parable. It was Susie’s birthday and all her friends and their parents came over to a great birthday party. All the kids were happy and enjoying the festivities, except little Johnny. He was fuming and throwing a tantrum.

Johnny looked a the rising pile of gifts and got so angry. His mother kneeled on one knee and quietly said to him, “Johnny, it’s not your party. Your birthday will come, this is Susie’s special day.”

Human nature, sinful as it is, is all about self. Even adults often question, “Why them and not me.” As believers we must learn this lesson too. So many times we think, why am I not blessed like so and so? How come I didn’t get the wife, the kids, the job, the home, the car, or whatever it is.

We should be happy when others are blessed, succeed, and are rewarded and awarded. Paul wrote in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” We should be just as happy for others as if it had happened to us.

May the Lord help us not to be unhappy campers. Bad attitudes can spoil good times. Have a blessed day no matter who is blessed. Stay safe and healthy.

When it’s your party, enjoy it; when it is someone’s else’s enjoy it for them.

Dean