Simpler Times
It seems the older I get, the more I yearn for simpler times. No agenda, no checking our cell phones, no hurrying here or there. Visiting on front porches or around campfires, simply sharing life, love, and laughter all the whilst sharing cherished memories, building new ones, and maybe sing a song or two together, or share what the Lord is doing in our life–and maybe even just sitting in silence taking in the moment. Yes, I’m yearning for those simpler times of enjoying the sounds of a whippoorwill, crickets, and the wind rustling the leaves; the scent of fresh cut grass, lilacs, honeysuckle, and the aroma of a charcoal grill cooking up something delicious; the sights and sounds of children laughing and playing tag or hide and seek, or catching fireflies and collecting them in a jar (not with their heads down looking at their electronics).
Technological advances are amazing and I’m thankful for many of them; but with them, we have lost touch with civility, how to interact with one another and build meaningful relationships. I guess when the younger generation ages they will reminisce about past versions of old electronics games they played or the by-gone era of some social media sites. I can only hope that we – the older generation – will help them to unplug and play outdoors more, to take walks or sit outside and help them use their senses to identify what’s going on around them. To engage them in life, teaching them from the Word of God and also by the way we live, instilling in them a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence for God’s creation and the teaching of His Word in church – to keep the electronics off – to teach them to be still and listen so they will learn and grow and to someday hear the voice of God speak to them through His Word.
I’m reminded of Moses’ attempt to teach Israel where her priorities lay and how to guarantee that she would never forget them. The Jewish people refer to this passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 as the Shema. Sadly, they did forget, went into exile and national tragedy was the result.
4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Lord, may all who come behind us find us faithful to You and You alone. May we make indelible footprints to lead the way for future generations.
Such a powerful message, Marsha. I too yearn for the simple life. Taking long walks, enjoying nature sounds fabulous to me.
Thank you, Iris.