"Which Child Do you Love the Most?" - by Rev. Weldon Bares

Brennan Manning was an author and public speaker who is best known for his book, “The Ragamuffin Gospel.” He told a story that he heard from an older man in Holland.

“I am one of thirteen children. One day I was thirsty and I went into the pantry of our home in Holland for a glass of water. My father was sitting at the kitchen table with a neighbor, but my father didn’t know I was there. The neighbor said to my father, ‘Joe, there’s something that I’ve wanted to ask you. You have thirteen children. Is there any one that is your favorite?

“My father said, ‘That’s easy. Sure, there is one that I love more than the others. That’s Mary, the twelve-year-old. She got braces on her teeth the other day and feels so awkward and embarrassed that she won’t go out of the house anymore. Oh, but you asked about my favorite. That’s my twenty-three-year-old, Peter. His girlfriend just broke off their engagement, and he is desolate.

“However, the one that I really love the most is little Michael. He is uncoordinated and terrible in every sport that he tries to play. The other kids make fun of him. But, of course, the apple of my eye is Susan. Only twenty-four years old, she has her own apartment and is developing a drinking problem. I cry for Susan.

“But I guess of all the kids, my favorite is . . .’ and eventually, my father said each one of his thirteen children by name.”

The teacher finished by saying, “I learned that day that the child that my father loved the most was the child who needed him the most at that time.”

I love this story. It reminds me of a parent’s love and of the incredible love of our Heavenly Father.