(© Rev. William Howard Anderson, April 28, 2002)

We sing and talk about how we would like to go back to the place of our childhood. Times were easier, simpler and more fun. The saying of "You can never go home again." is truer than most realize.

We long for the times when we had less responsibility with the added advantage of being able to appreciate it with the experience and knowledge that we possess now. But, nothing is ever seen the same way by anyone once that moment is past. When we look at the time of our childhood we only see that world as we saw it through our childhood eyes. If we had been the parent or guardian we would see that same time as one of strife and trials that was only survived through the Grace of God.

It's okay to think about and appreciate what we see in our minds eye as a time of pleasure and joy. We must not lose track of the fact that we are currently living in just such a time. We will never be able to come back to this time to enjoy it with new eyes except in our imagination. Look around you. In what ways are you living a simple and uncomplicated life, that you will look back on and long for?

As a Child of God, I am living during a time of wonder and enjoyment. With each day, each prayer and every reading of His Word I grow a little more and become a little more mature. I think back to when I was first forgiven and became a "babe" in Christ. I remember how easy it was to only be required to learn a few verses each week. To be quiet during the preaching. To sing in the choir. I thought it was so hard to learn those verses and didn't see a need to learn them anyway. Because I would know them when I was older and didn't need to learn them. I thought the preaching was Sooo' Boring and didn't have anything I needed to hear. The Choir Director didn't know what sounded good and only picked on me because she didn't like me.

Now, I'm not just expected to learn a few verses each week. I'm expected to study, understand, teach and apply those verses to my life. I'm expected to listen to and learn from the preachers sermon, even when some of them are still boring. People expect you to know the songs and choruses by heart.

I didn't appreciate the simplicity of my life as a Child in Christ when I was a child. Now, as a Child in Christ and an adult I sometimes fail to appreciate the simplicity of where I am for God and do not see the wonders God provides each moment. I found I can learn to appreciate and see the Blessed things in my life only through prayer and study. Something I didn't know when I was a child.

In our reminiscing and longing for the simpler days of childhood we must not lose track of the simple beautiful things and wonders God provides for us each day. Remember, we never have the opportunity to appreciate the time we are living in more than right now.

I remember hearing it said "The only thing that makes the good old days good is a poor memory." Let our memories reflect on how we were able to hold and appreciate where we are and what we have at this moment.

When God calls us Home even our fondest memories will be as nothing when compared to one moment spent in His Presence. Be prepared and true to Him.

1 Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV)

Exod 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?  (KJV)

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