I shared this story in a lesson I taught last month. I like it a lot. Hope you can see the parallels.
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful girl who lived with her father in a small village. This little girl loved her Father very much. He was the joy in her world.
This father loved His little girl. More than can ever be written. More than can ever be told. He loved her like a father loves a daughter. With a perfect love that only deepens with the days that come.
Now this father had a heavy heart. He looked at His little girl, whom He loved so much, and he knew that she needed far more than this village could ever offer. He knew He would soon have to send her away so that she could become all that He knew she could be.
When the time came, there was much sadness. But both had hope that one day they would be reunited and the girl could make her Father proud with all that she had become.
Communication was difficult. Time passed. The girl seldom thought about the far-away Father whom she had loved, but who had sent her away.
The Father’s love was perfect. It did not falter but continued to grow. He worried about His daughter. He worried she would forget who she was and that the world would be hard on the girl He loved so deeply.
He sent reminders. He sent help.
Sometimes the girl responded; other times she was too lost to receive help from a far-away father in a small village.
Years passed. The Father grew old. He did not know where His daughter was. He remained hopeful that they would one day be reunited and she will have become all that He imagined she could become. He knew her potential. He loved her with a perfect love.
At last the time came where she stood before Him. How He had waited for this day! She told Him of her life. She told Him the world was hard on her. She told Him there were times she forgot who she was. She told Him that she had received the help He sent her and she was grateful.
She was able to become all she could be. Now they could be together forevermore.
The Father’s joy was full. He had prepared for this day the whole time His daughter had been away. Now He could give her all that He had to give. The rewards for her faithful return were more than can ever be written. More than can ever be told. Now they could truly be together forevermore.
