The Parable of the Adopted Son by Davin Dahlgren, October 1996 A certain man was working one day when a friend he knew well stopped by for a visit. Another man was with him. "I have someone I would like you to meet," the friend said. "This man is the son of a wealthy man. He is heir to all the wealthy man's fortune." At this the man was intrigued. He looked at the heir with interest. "What do want of me?" he asked. "My father has instructed me to inform you that he wishes to adopt you as his son also. This entitles you to a great inheritance which together we shall share." The heir handed a box to the man. "Here is all you will need in order to be identified as my adopted brother. Simply take it, and all shall be yours." The man believed what the heir had said and took the box. The heir bid the man farewell and departed. For a time, the man proudly displayed his gift and told his friends and family that he was now the adopted son of a wealthy man. It was not long, however, before he began to feel that something was missing. His inheritance was assured, was it not? Or was it? How was it that he had believed so readily? But he had been so sure before -- how could he doubt it now? Then he had an idea. Why should he not open the box? It was his proof, was it not? And the heir had not said that it should not be opened. "Surely, I have been a fool not to open it already!" The man declared. Inside the box, he found some legal documents, a cellular phone, and a book. The man's attention was first drawn to the book, which contain various accounts of the wealthy man's dealings with other men in years past. These stories pleased the man's heart, for he saw that in every case in which his adopted father had promised something to someone, he had kept his word. Now, the man was sure that the promise of his own inheritance was also assured, for his adopted father's character was impeccable. The man read more from the book, and grew to understand more of the character of the wealthy man who had adopted him. He became very eager to meet his new father. But how could it be done? He picked up the cell phone. He hit the autodial. His heart leaped into his mouth as connection rang through. What would his adopted father sound like? Would he have a deep voice? Would he be angry for the disturbance? Surely, such a successful businessman would be too busy for frivolous chit chat from some guy he had only just adopted! "Hello, son, I'm so glad you called." The voice was quiet. It was so quiet that the man could hardly hear it. "I hope I'm not disturbing you...If you're busy, I can call back later," the man said. "Don't be silly. I always have time to talk to you, my boy." "Then, you know who I am?" "Of course! I instructed my son to give this phone to you, and he always does what I ask of him." The man began to relax as he spoke to his new father. It was as if they were old friends. The man enjoyed talking with the wealthy man and promised to call again soon. The wealthy man assured him that he would welcome such a call at any time, day or night. The man called the wealthy man often, just to get to know him better. They discussed many things that the man had been curious about, and though the wealthy man sometimes deferred his answers, he was always happy to talk with his adopted son. Then one day, the wealthy man asked a most perplexing question. "How are you enjoying the house?" The man felt embarrassed. "What house?" he asked. "Why, the house which I prepared for you as a down payment on your inheritance," the wealthy man replied. "The deed which was enclosed in the box you were given enumerates several marvelous things to which you are entitled as my son." The man pulled out the deed and read it. Everything he had been told was true. His new father had indeed prepared a place for him in a stately mansion where the wealthy man's own son lived also. All he had to do was to take the deed to the mansion and claim what was his. This he did, and found the mansion to be greater than he himself had even imagined. He was ushered into a room of great splendor, complete with every luxury that one could desire. He was given a brand new car for his travels and a credit card with his new father's name on it, which allowed him unlimited spending power -- all debts guaranteed by the wealthy man's estate. The man was overwhelmed. Such trust! Such glorious gifts! When the wealthy man's son asked him to help with the family business, he could not have imagined saying "no." It was his greatest pleasure to do the will of his new father. He received calls on the cell phone every day, sometimes every hour. His tasks included bringing other men to meet the wealthy man's son, just as he had been brought in the beginning. The man found all this work to be very exciting. He was greatly pleased. "At last, I have come into my inheritance. There can be nothing greater than this. I have read the book, spoken to my adopted father on the cell phone, and claimed that to which the deed has entitled me. Surely, no greater experience could be mine!" But one thing still did he lack. He had not yet met the wealthy man in person. This thought nagged him more and more insistently as the days went by. Soon, he could no longer concentrate on his work. He had to ask the wealthy man for an audience. He called, fearing that his request would be denied. But the wealthy man gladly consented to see him. "My son, I have hoped for this day ever since you were adopted! So few of those whom I adopt ever desire such a thing, that it makes my heart glad to have you ask! Please come at your earliest convenience!" The man eagerly ran down to his car and jumped in. He thought of nothing but that he would see his father's face. As he sped away, he suddenly realized that he was not entirely certain where he was going. In fact, he knew absolutely nothing of his father's whereabouts. What a fool! He laughed to himself as he autodialed his cell phone. To his sheer disappointment, there was no answer. For the first time, he was unable to make contact with the wealthy man. The man was quite upset. He immediately turned the car around and headed back to the wealthy man's estate, hoping to ask the wealthy man's son for directions. It was with mounting horror that he vainly searched for his new home. He had been so sure of its location. He had been so secure living there, why had he ever left it! And now, he felt completely lost. The man stopped at a gas station to ask for directions. The gas station attendant did indeed know of the wealthy man, but was unable to give the man directions. Sadly, the man decided to continue driving until he could find someone who did know where the wealthy man could be found. Calamity of calamities! The car was gone! He had only turned his back for a moment, and someone had taken it! Now, he would have to walk. For days, the man wandered the streets of the city, looking for his adopted father. He kept trying to call on the cell phone, but only got the wealthy man's answering machine. The man still had the book, but he felt too dejected to read it. The darkness surrounding him grew blacker and blacker. The man was harassed by enemies of the wealthy man. "Where is your father?" they taunted. The man cried out, "Father! Why have you forgotten me?" Discouraged, he sat down and wept. Then he began to remember all that he had seen and experienced. The wealthy man's son, the beautiful estate, the promises that had been made, the character of the wealthy man as described in his book. All these things the man remembered. Finally, he called the wealthy man one more time. "Father, I don't know where you are, but I wanted to let you know that I was trusting in your riches, and not in you. I was so enamored of your great wealth that I could not truly know who you are. I thought that when I lost sight of the riches, I thought I had lost you also. But because you have promised to never leave me, nor forsake me, I shall not be afraid. I will wait for you." Then out of the darkness, the man saw a light. It came from behind him. He turned around and saw someone standing at a distance. The man approached the stranger. "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your father." The stranger answered. "I have been with you the whole time, but you were so concerned with the things you had lost that you did not see me. In fact, you never really lost those things, you only lost sight of them. As long as you are with me, all that I have given you will always be yours." "Now that I have met you in person, none of that seems quite so important," the man said. "I only want to stay by your side." The wealthy man beamed. "And so you shall, my boy. So you shall." [Return to Spiritual Studies]