America, the Prodigal

*Long long ago there was a very rich father who had a very large family. He built a large house anticipating his family. His children were normal and grew up with the standards that their father set. Occasionally, one or the other would step out of line, but they all respected their very understanding father. But there was one who often stepped out of line and became more rebellious by not only disregarding his father's standards but by starting to make his own rules. The self-willed son finally grew up and went out on his own, making his own decisions and managing his own life and livelihood with the wealth he had obtained through his father's good graces. Quite often he had to humble himself and request the aid and wisdom of his father. This went well as long as the father would grant him his desires without questions. When the father made inquiries so as to better assist his son in becoming self-sufficient and independent, the son became angry to the bewilderment and sadness of his father. The father was patient with his son but began to be at a loss pertaining to how he could really help his son. The father was not overbearing nor one desiring to control his adult son. He simply loved him dearly and wanted to see him become successful and happy as he pursued his own life's purpose. However, matters at times grew from bad to worse, especially when the son would shout out what seemed to be his favorite demand of his father, "I want you to stay out of my business!". Why, the father could not understand such a demand, because he never was a volunteer, but rather was always recruited or drafted by his son into his vast array of adversities and conflicts whether they were financial, marital, or parental. It's sad when a son wants his father to be "in or out" of his life on the son's terms alone. 03252018FBPS *America, my great country, reminds me of The Prodigal Son story in the Bible. This is a fictitious description of America's rebellion against God.