“Why
Can’t
Someone Else Go?” My
son, I am afraid that I have to answer your question in writing since I
was not able to make any sense to you the other day. You
remember that day when we were lying in bed talking. I held your little
hand in mine and tried to make up with you for the days I was away.
Actually I was away for only two weeks, but after I came home it took me
another two weeks to rest up and catch up with my work. So by the time I
held your five-year-old hand in mine and gave you my full attention, I
had not been communicating with you for at least a month. Even
though our hands were locked, I could sense that you were hurt. When I
asked you, “Do
you like Daddy to be home?” your tears almost came out. Restraining yourself
by sniffing your nose, you asked me, “Why do you always have to go away?” “Son, you know that
Daddy has to go and tell people about Jesus, don’t you?” I tried to let my voice sound natural, controlled
and reasonable. “But why can’t
someone else go?”
you asked, trying to conceal your hurt. Son, I was honestly stunted by
your question. As I was trying to think of a good answer to explain to
you, you continued. “Why does it have to be
you?” I
did try to explain that others, who were called by God, did have to go
and that one day if God were to call you, you might have to do the same
and then you too had to explain to your son. But that line of argument
simply did not make sense to you. And I don’t
blame you for not understanding it. My
dear child your Daddy has to go away again tomorrow, as I was making
preparation for my leaving, I thought of you. I thought of your raising
the same question over and over again in your mind, "Why can't
someone else go?" My heart is saddened when I realize that you will
be sitting in church this Sunday without me fingering out the words to
you as the congregation sing. I
dread to think of the moment when you are in bed trying to get to sleep.
You will be thinking of me with your eyes staring up at the ceiling and
I will be too busy preaching or counseling miles away. My
son, you may not understand now, but let me explain to you in writing so
that one day you may understand why your father has to go away even
though he would much rather just stay home with your Mama you. I would
like to explain to you now so that I can have peace with myself and
hopefully one day you will read this with understanding. “Why can’t someone else go?”
you asked, “Why can’t someone else go?”
you asked, “Why can’t someone else go?”
you asked, “Why can’t someone else go?”
you asked, “Why can’t someone else go?”
you asked, My
son, this someone else is the one to whom you so innocently address the
question, “Why
can’t
anyone else go?” Today,
my son, you may like to be fireman one day and policeman the next, but I
pray that one day the “someone
else”
may be no one else but you.
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