Joy Rides and Hurt Pride

From today’s reading…

Hosea is telling us that actions have consequences.

You know that if your dad catches you sneaking out of the house and going for a joyride at 2 am you’ll have hell to pay, but you think the juice is worth the squeeze, so you do it.

Then your heart jumps into your throat as you return home and see the light on in the living room…and you realize the juice was not worth the squeeze.

You know what’s waiting for you as you walk into the kitchen through the utility room (but you also know that driving past the house and going to your friend’s to delay the whoopin’ will only worsen it…so here goes…)

You were right.

Dad is mad.

He yells.

He rips the keys out of your hand.

He lectures.

He grounds you.

He wants to take away everything you enjoy for 100 years.

But your mom steps in.

She calms your dad down.

She is upset with you but she doesn’t pile on.

She tells you to just go to your room while she talks to your dad.

You hear them talking but can’t make out what they’re saying.

Then you hear them go to bed.

Your dad is up before you, because he’s always up before you.

You get some cereal and juice and sit down at the kitchen table opposite from him.

He doesn’t look up or even acknowledge your presence.

You eat in the silence, but that cereal sure seems louder than a herd of elephants stomping on bubble wrap in your kitchen.

You finally break the silence with, “Sorry Dad.”

He looks up from his book, squints his eyes, purses his lips, then slowly nods…then slowly shakes his head as he asks, “What the hell were you thinking?”

You fumble over some inconsequential stories about friends and peer pressure and whatever, then just admit you were dumb, he was right, and that you’re really sorry.

Right about that time your mom comes into the kitchen, fills up your juice, and brings your dad another cup of coffee.

After she kisses you on the forehead she sits down at the table and your dad says the most painful words ever: “I’m just so disappointed in you.”

You would prefer he took off his belt and tanned your hide until you couldn’t sit.

You’d rather lose your driving privileges for a month than hear that.

You’d throw your iPhone into a wood chipper if it would guarantee he’d never say those words to you ever again.

But you look down, nod your head, and just say “I know.”

The silence hangs for a moment and your mom says, “But we love you.”

Your dad says, “We do love you, you know? I love you. I’ll always love you. But there are rules for living here and they are not arbitrary. Nothing good happens after midnight, and you know it. What you did was not only stupid, it was reckless, and it was insulting to your mother and me.”

“I know, Dad.”

“Do you? Do you REALLY?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Good. But you’re still grounded. Forever…and a day.”

“I know.”

Your mom says, “But with good behavior, he can make parole early, right Honey?”

Your dad just shrugs and scowls a little and returns to his reading.

A minute of silence goes by.

Your mom gets up and hugs your dad, walks over and hugs you, then tells you to go give your dad a hug and tell him you’re sorry again and that you love him.

Your dad just grunts but doesn’t look up from his book.

You do as your mom says and your dad lays his head on your chest with that side hug as he remains seated.

You breathe a sigh of relief.

Your dad says “And thank your mom for intervening on your behalf. Now get in the kitchen and clean up. You have A LOT of extra chores…for a long time.”

You do as he says.

Then you hear him say from the living room, “And don’t forget the game is on at 2. You can’t watch it unless you get your chores done and I’m not watching it alone so if you make me watch it alone, your punishment is doubled! So get to work.”

You look at your mom who winks at you and you know everything will be fine as long as you…

Stay the course.

Keep the faith. Endure.

Now go sell something.