A Father's Gift

Isreal sat amongst the Bible study leaders, planning for the upcoming Christmas party to celebrate almost ten years of Bible study in his home. Had it really been that long?

The night wind rustled the trees surrounding the porch where they gathered, branches scraping against the tin roof. Isreal’s mind drifted back to a Christmas years before—when his son almost died.

At four months old, Joseph had a cough that no priest or witchdoctor could cure. At times, baby Joseph would stop breathing, turning purple and growing limp in Isreal’s desperate arms.

Then his wife committed the greatest treachery of all. She took her son to the new Evangelical church, one that preached salvation by grace and not by saints or rituals. She declared that if Jesus healed her son, she would commit her life to serving him.

Isreal fought with his wife for her betrayal.  If their son died, it would be her fault.

But Joseph improved and, before Isreal knew it, his sickly infant grew into a chubby, energetic baby, toddling around, learning to walk. It was then Isreal decided to join this church as well and learn about this God who offered something greater than saints and witchcraft. And follow Jesus.

The village persecuted him for rejecting tradition, but there was no turning back. He had received the gift of salvation. He would lead his family to know this gift as well.

Then an American missionary had come to the village, starting a Bible study with his wife. Isreal attended as often as he could and insisted that his young sons sit with them, too.

Wasn’t that the best gift he could give them, to know Jesus as he had?

The Bible study had grown in over a decade as neighbors, hungry for hope, had joined, and the missionary had tasked Isreal with teaching the men. He accepted the great privilege, but now there were more young boys, and they needed another teacher.

Isreal rose to add more wood to the fire. “Let’s pray that God raises up another leader,” the missionary was saying to the group. “Think of who it could be.”

A conviction formed, and Isreal slipped into his son’s room.

Joseph, now fourteen, looked up from his homework. “How are the plans for the Christmas party, dad?”

 “I want you to be a Bible study teacher,” Isreal said. “We need help with the little boys. Will you do it?”

Joseph’s eyes widened.

 “I’ll help you, son. I’ll teach you to walk in my steps.”

Joseph pondered for a moment and then nodded. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

Isreal led his son to the porch, pride swelling as he introduced Joseph as the newest Bible study leader.

Years ago, God had given him his son back, and now he would give him back to God, passing on the greatest gift of all to a new generation.