Tommy, the youngest son in his family, had always enjoyed the privileges that came with being the last-born. He changed due to some situations.

He often took advantage of his parents’ love and occasionally disobeyed their instructions, staying out late to play football with his friends.

Despite his parents’ repeated reminders to return home by 5:30 pm for dinner and a shower, Tommy would sometimes disregard their rules.

Although he would apologize when his mother came to fetch him, there were occasions when he failed to admit his mistakes. His parents were patient for a changed son.

Aside from the importance of eating and showering early, Tommy’s parents were concerned about his safety.

Their small village lacked proper street lighting, and after sunset, their street became dark and treacherous.

They feared that if Tommy returned home too late, he might get lost or hurt himself on the sharp rocks that lined the road.

Tommy claimed to understand these reasons, but he seemed indifferent to the potential consequences.

Despite their expectations of a change in behavior, his parents continued to shower him with affection.

One evening, Tommy found himself in a situation where he knew his parents would be returning home late from work. He chose to stay longer and play, even after his friends had left.

Enjoying the feeling of being in control, he bounced the ball alone, disregarding the fading daylight.

When he eventually realized that he could no longer see the goal, he decided it was time to head home.

The football field was a fifteen-minute walk from his house, but by the time he reached his street, darkness had enveloped everything.

Suddenly, fear gripped Tommy.

The usually helpful outdoor security bulbs that some of his neighbors would usually switch on were absent that day.

The street was pitch black, and Tommy felt a growing sense of panic. No one was passing by, or if they were, Tommy was too consumed by his worries to notice.

Confused and unsure of what to do, he knew he couldn’t go back to the empty football field far away.

Within a few minutes, Tommy made a sudden chnaged decision. He mustered up his courage and started running, attempting to find his way home.

His siblings were there, so he wouldn’t be alone. In his haste, stumbling in the darkness, he tripped and hit his ankle on a large, sharp stone. T

he pain was excruciating, and he couldn’t bring himself to get up. Tears streamed down Tommy’s face as he felt helpless and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Tommy’s parents were on their way home at that very moment.

Spotting their son struggling in the darkness, his father quickly handed the flashlight to his mother and rushed to Tommy’s side.

They reassured him, urging him to stop crying, and his father gently carried him off the ground.

All the fear that had gripped Tommy vanished as he realized his parents had come to his rescue just in time.

Upon reaching home, everyone expressed their concern for Tommy. His mother bathed him, cleaned his wound, and applied a band-aid.

During this tender moment, Tommy apologized to his mother for disobeying their instructions.

She wasn’t upset, but rather relieved that he was safe and his injuries were not severe.

After dinner, Tommy sought out his father in his study.

Holding his father’s hand, he sincerely apologized for disrespecting his orders and expressed his thoughts to be a changed person.

Surprisingly, his father’s response echoed his mother’s. Tommy was taken aback.

He had expected punishment or anger for his disobedience, especially given his injury.

Drawing closer, he settled onto his father’s lap and asked him why he wasn’t more angry with him.

With a warm smile, his father replied, “Because I love you.” Tommy smiled too, although it seemed as if he was expecting a different answer.

His father continued, sharing a lesson he had learned from observing how God treats us all.

Quoting from the book of Matthew 7: 9-10, he said, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Tommy’s eyes widened in shock as he listened to his father’s words.

Holding him close to his chest, his father asked why he was so surprised.

Tommy explained that he had disobeyed his father on several occasions before and didn’t expect such quick forgiveness and unconditional love.

His father lovingly responded, “I forgave you, my little handsome, just as God has forgiven me many times.”

Tommy’s father went on to say, “I love you and always will, not because of what you do, but because you are God’s gift to me.

I hope you can obey me because you love me and understand that I want to protect you. I will never abandon you, especially when you are facing difficulties.”

At that moment, Tommy felt overwhelming happiness and gratitude as a changed person.

With a loving voice, he hugged and kissed his father goodnight, expressing his heartfelt appreciation for everything.

From that day forward, Tommy made a firm commitment to always return home before dusk, as his parents had instructed.

He realized that his parents’ love for him was unwavering, regardless of his mistakes.

Though he had always known this love existed, his fall in the darkness had deepened his understanding of his parents’ unwavering care.

Tommy had truly transformed, becoming a changed boy.

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