Childhood…

Childhood…7-14-25

My niece and I played this game on our long drive, The Ungame. Basically, there is a card deck and you answer thought provoking questions. We played where we both had to answer the questions. Some questions were easy and quick. Some questions required thoughtful consideration, and then some questions required remembering a long ago time, place, or event. I loved the questions and responses as I listened to her recall times, places, special memories, and a few trials and tribulations. A lifetime of memories that are built and emerge from Childhood.

Many, many, many of the questions, too many to count, were not easy to answer for me. Recall a special holiday! How would your mother or father describe you? Childhood memories with grandparents, friends, places you visited, or even activities. It wasn’t that I couldn’t answer most because of painful memories, some just never took place. There were no special moments and memories with grandparents. There were no traditions that we had that held sweet memories. No foods that we had that the smell would transform me to a childhood filled with laughter and love.

Oh, don’t feel sorry for me! There are children who had and have it far worse than I. I am not sitting and weeping for what was. Yes, there are wistful moments of quiet reflection that tend to bring an occasional tear. I know what I went through, my childhood, my faith now, and my family that I have are all part of God’s master plan. I know he orchestrated my going out and coming in. He safeguarded my steps. He had me under His wings and still does.

You see, we can choose to do one of two things with our lives. We can live in it, wallow like a pig in mud, and use excuses for our actions or behaviors. Or, and By the Grace of God, we can understand He is guiding our steps, move forward, look to the Heavens for our help, and become all that He asks of us. These are our choices. Our childhood is the beginning, but it is never the end.

Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”