September 19: The Son Who Said No, Then Went
How many times did you promise to do something and then not show up? You meant it when you said it. You just didn’t do it. Does that still happen?
“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
Jesus told about a father with two sons. He asked the first to go work in the vineyard. The son said no. But later he changed his mind and went. He asked the second son. That son said, “Yes, sir,” but never went. Jesus asked, which one did his father’s will? The answer was obvious. The one who went.
The drinking years were full of “Yes, sir” without going. Yes, I’ll be there. Yes, I’ll pay you back. Yes, I’ll fix it this weekend. Yes, this is the last time. The words came easily. The follow-through didn’t.
Step Nine is about the going. Not about what you say you’ll do, but what you actually do. That’s why it’s the step of discipline. Anyone can say yes. It takes discipline to show up.
There’s good news in the story too. The first son started with no. He got it wrong at first. But he changed his mind and went. It’s not too late for you either. Maybe you’ve been saying no to certain amends for a long time. You can still go.
This applies to weekends too. A lot of promises at home are about weekend things. Fixing the fence. Taking the kids somewhere. Visiting your parents. Those small promises matter. Keeping them is a living amends.
So be careful with your yes. Say yes only to what you’ll actually do. Then do it. If you can’t, say so honestly, early. People would much rather hear “I can’t” than another empty yes.
And if you’ve been the second son, saying yes and not going, today is a good day to become the first. Change your mind. Go.
One thing today
Think of one promise you made recently and haven’t kept. Keep it today, or tell the person honestly when you will.
A prayer
Lord, I’ve said yes so many times without following through. Make me a person who goes. Help me keep my word today, in small things and big ones. Amen.
Start Here explains how small, steady actions add up in recovery.
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