Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 

John 18:36 (NKJV)

The typical open times were 9-9 Wednesday through Sunday…
Occassionally Dad would extend these hours.

One gentleman, we’ll call him John, came on days the ponds were closed to the public and I was told to leave him be…

Typically I played outside and had no reservations. A stranger was just a friend I had not yet met. I think I was six.

This day John had something stuck in his hand. Either a fish or a hook… I am not sure which. He was hurt and needed help. So being the helpful kid I was I headed that way.

John saw me, “No. Please stay back. I don’t want you hurt.”
I stopped, but could not understand what the issue was… I figured he had no clue how much I could help.

“Child, stay back, I can’t let you help me.” John said practically pleading.

Because I still did not stop. He changed his urgency hurt my feelings. It broke my heart that I could not help. Then I felt particularly fearful when Dad called me aside after the situation had resolved.

I’d been told not to go around John, but still did, I went against the boundary. My parents, at that stage in life, weren’t the repeating type. Consequence wasn’t slow to follow disobedience.

Dad explained the reason John came during closed times. That he was trying to protect me. In his fear of hurting others he made special arrangements to come out.

The pleading of his words stayed with me. “I can’t let you help me.” And the fact John never returned to fish after that stuck also… Especially that my behavior had brought him to the point of anger when his actions were those of love.

Do you have a story that relates to this? I’d love to hear it!