Our instructor had just completed our preliminaries in preparation to watch a DVD presentation of this commandment. Some of the lights had been tuned off but the light at the entrance of the church hall where we were meeting was still lit. Just as we were beginning to view the presentation, a man we did not know walked through the front entrance. Someone from our group immediately jumped to their feet to go and greet this stanger who had "barged" into our meeting. Since we had started the viewing, the stranger was asked to stay as a chair was pulled out for him. Without saying a word (the DVD was now running), he accepted the invitation to stay.
The presentation ran for 40 minutes. All the while our somewhat scruffy visitor watched intently. Following the viewing and after introducing ourselves to our visitor, our facilitator, armed with probing questions, opened up the meeting for discussion/observations/applications/conclusions. Everyone around the table chirped in with remarks. Our "uninvited" guest remained silent. Finally he broke his silence. He began by remarking that he was looking for another group but had somehow bumped into us. Yet he decided to stay because our door had been left unlocked, our entrance light was on, and to boot, he was quickly greeted and a chair was immediately pulled up for him. All of those things somehow impacted him and he thanked us saying how all of this meant a great deal to him.
He then went on to share how much he appreciated the presentation and shared some of his story with us. It turns out that our new friend, Cam, was not young although he certainly did not look his age. A widower for many years now, Cam was nonetheless the father of nine grown children. He also shared that he battled the bottle for a significant part of his life. While he is now dry and has been for a long time, he recognizes how alcoholism ravaged his life.
During this dark period he recalls how especially one of his children never disrespected him in spite of his destructive habit. He described that daughter as mentally challenged. Yet this daughther showed nothing but loving concern for her dad. He then described how he often would be so drunk oblivious to the fact that he was laying in a druken stupor in a snow bank just a few feet from the entrance to his home. Of all the children, she would be the only one who would come to rescue the drunken father. With all the strenght she could muster she would literally pull him into the house in order to protect him from the severe cold. Today Cam marvels at how she never did show any signs of disrespect towards him, in spite of his many failings. In his recollection, she, more that all the other children, truly honoured her dad.
Our guest asked to be excused before the end of our meeting. The reason: a scheduled visit to this beloved daughter who in spite of her own mental health challenges always held this father in kind esteem, in respect mingled with love.He had stayed a little longer than anticipated and was now running late. No wonder they have such a bond today.
Thank you for your visit Cam. We now understand why an unlocked door, a lighted entrance, a ready welcome, a pulled up chair mean so much to you. Through your daughter's example, we have also learned why obedience to this 5th commandment is so important: honour your father and mother.
Cam, we hope you will come again. As the commercial says, "we'll leave the light on" and the chair will be waiting.
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