Balloon


I heard a story once of a father who bought his son a helium balloon.  They played a game where the son would let the balloon float up and hit the ceiling.  The father being the hero retrieved it for him. Even though the father got tired of playing sometimes, the joy it brought his son kept him coming back to be superman. 

Later in the day the father and son were outside.  The son insisted on bringing his balloon, and of course, he let it go fully expecting his dad to bring it back for him just like every other time.  When the boy realized that his father wasn't bringing the balloon back, he started frantically pointing at it and shouting so his father would know it was time to play the game.  As they watched the balloon soar out of reach the son screamed as if his protests would somehow convince his father to save his balloon.  He looked at him in shock.  The one who was supposed to protect him from pain and disappointment wasn't even trying. In his utter confusion as to why his dad would cause him such pain, he sobbed.

The father wept too.  

He felt his son's pain. It was heartbreaking for him to watch him suffer.  If only he could explain to his little son how easy it was for him to go to the store and get him a new balloon.  
But for the moment, he just cried.

John 11:35

Story credit: Brother Bacon from Chugiak Alaska
Picture credit: bighdwallpapers.com

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