Advent Devotional by Andrew Nash

Matthew 21:28-32

Which of the two did what his father wanted? (Matthew 21:31)

Dad knew his sons didn’t want to clear the brush from the backyard. It would take all afternoon whether he worked alone or with his sons’ help. The work must be done, after all. Dad asked the boys to get gloves and then come help him.

“Yes, sir!” said Barry.

“No,” said Nate, “I’m playing a video game.”

Both boys stayed inside as Dad got started. The brush was thick. Soon, half an hour had passed. Dad sighed and opened the back door.

“Boys, I need your help!” he hollered into the house.

“I don’t want to!” Nate yelled back.

“I’m still looking for my gloves!” Barry responded.

Dad rolled his eyes and went back to work. An hour passed. The sun was hot. Sweat poured down Dad’s brow, and his back ached. The dry branches and chopped wood had scratched his arms. Dad stretched his back for a little breather.

“Dad, do you still need help?”

“Huh?” Dad said, surprised.

“I asked if you still needed help,” said Nate, already wearing gloves.

“Absolutely,” Dad said. “It’ll go by faster with the two of us. Where’s your brother? I thought he was getting his gloves?”

Nate shrugged as he walked away with an arm full of branches.

Dad smiled at his younger son before getting back to work. The pair talked, growing closer as the brush got smaller and smaller. Soon, they shared drinks while admiring the empty backyard.

“Dad?”

“Yeah, son?”

“Why didn’t you make us come out and help you when you started? Both me and Barry?”

“It would have been best if both of you had listened immediately,” Dad said. “But sometimes you have to give people time to do the right thing. I’m thankful you did, even though you didn’t want to.”

Andrew Nash