Wait 'til I die? — Ton Tenga

We studied the story of the Prodigal Son in my online Bible study group this past week. The “prodigal” son represents the tax collectors and sinners mentioned in verse 1 in Luke 15. The elder son represents the Pharisees and scribes in verse 2.

I really like to call this parable “The Parable of the Loving Father” because the Father of the two sons represents God in this story.

Many have called this the best story ever told. Since I was a boy, this story has been one of my favorites. One of my mentors wanted to make sure that Lottie Moon received the bulk of his meager estate, so when he passed away he requested that I serve as the executor of his estate. He also left me several mementos, and one of them was his rendition of The Prodigal Son. This big guild framed pencil and charcoal drawing is mounted on the wall of our home (see below).

Other than the first two verses setting the context for the three following parables, there is not a backstory for this story of the lost son. It jumps right into the son asking for his inheritance. According to custom, he and his brother would receive his father’s estate upon the death of their father. However, the younger son could not wait for his father to die. In essence, he was saying I wish you were dead, father, so I could get your wealth.

During a visit to my parents’ home a few years ago, my dad, Pete, and I were working outside an outbuilding that he called his shop. I asked Pete about an old thermometer that was mounted on the outside of his shop in the backyard. It was a big RC Cola branded thermometer that was faded, but well preserved. And—it still had the correct temperature! My dad told me that an RC Cola representative had given him that thermometer in 1955.

I like doing things with old barn wood, so I began imagining what I could do with that old thermometer. Those of you who have been in our home know that we have 100-year-old barn siding on the walls surrounding our stone fireplace, under our kitchen bar, in the foyer and in the guest bath. You get the idea—I like old barn wood, and I liked the idea of mounting that old RC Cola thermometer on some of that old wood.

Actually, my idea was to find an antique “Moon Pie” sign and mount it on some old wood and hang both signs on a wall in our home.

That night as Cheryl and I were sitting around and visiting with my mom and dad, I asked my dad if he would give me that RC Cola relic. I will never forget his response. First of all, he just looked at me for an instant, and then his face cringed a bit as he looked away. Then he looked back at me and said, “Larry, can’t you just wait ‘til I die to get that thermometer?”

I was heartbroken that I had asked for it. So many things ran through my mind in an instant. I don’t think that since I left home to go to college at age 17 that I had ever asked my dad to give me something. I wanted to apologize for asking. I wanted to take back my question. I wanted to crawl under the chair.

My mother spoke first: “Pete, you don’t need that old sign. Give it to Larry.” I tried to take back my request and say that it was ok to leave it there for the time being, but my mother continued to bark at my dad for not giving up the sign right away. Finally, I managed to change the subject.

The next morning as we were packing the car for our return trip home, there in the back of my car was the RC Cola sign wrapped in paper towels. My dad had removed the two rusty screws that attached the relic to his shop and wrapped it up for me. I knew better than to start another discussion about the old sign, so I just whispered in his ear “Thank you, Pete, for giving the thermometer to me.”

Today when I read the story of the Prodigal son, I think of disrespecting my dad by asking for something that he cherished. I could not wait to get something that I wanted—just like the prodigal son.

Pete was never able to visit our home to see the RC Cola thermometer mounted on 100-year-old barn siding and displayed prominently in our home. I look at that relic often and think about how much I would have liked for my dad to see the old thermometer and know how much I cherish it just like he did.

Unfortunately, I have found numerous Moon Pie sign reproductions, but I have not been able to find that antique Moon Pie sign. But the RC Cola thermometer serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring our parents’ memories and of telling stories to our family about our parents.