Dear Church Family,
I remember as a child the conversations of my elders, folks my grandparents age. They would talk about the good ole’ days. Their accounts talked about a simpler time, with fewer choices and usually involved some sort of struggle. On common remark was, “We were poor, but I didn’t know it.” My grandma told me of stories they were so poor that the kids (she) would climb up coal cars (on the train) and throw coal down and they would take to heat their home.
For the most part I enjoyed their stories, and longed for the simplicity they described. Yet, I know that most of those stories did not reflect the experience of various minority groups. And when pressed, women had a different set of rules to live by than men – and still do.
As I mature I find myself having thoughts about my good ole’ days. Activities that I took for granted as a child; riding my bicycle freely around the neighborhood, stopping anywhere I wanted. Taking the bus from the suburbs into the city for a day of adventure. And purchasing candy bars for 5 cents. Of course, they were much smaller than the candy bars my parents bought for 5 cents. But for a quarter I could purchase enough candy for a sugar rush.
Now a child needs a helmet to ride a bicycle. And usually you don’t see children riding bikes in the street. Now I wouldn’t allow a 12 year old to ride the trolley into downtown San Diego and allowing him to roam the streets by himself. Now I rarely eat candy – not seeking a sugar rush.
Children’s sports have changed enormously too. Safety is paramount in organized sports awareness. I often walk my little dog at a set of baseball diamonds. These folks are serious about baseball. Well kept fields are regularly and clearly marked. Children arrive with a gear bag on rollers that carries bats (mind you, a selection of bats) balls, glove, water, helmet and whatever else young baseball players carry. Back in my day, you needed a glove to play. There were usually a few bats and balls a couple of people might furnish. There is a snack bar and an automatic score board. I’m happy the kids have a really decent set up to play. It appears that everyone there is dedicated to the sport and the opportunity for children to grow.
But compared to what I was raised with – we have upped the bar on children’s sports. And it appears that children are raised with different customs and culture than when I was raised and even more differently than when my mother and grandparents were raised.
I share this to emphasize that the habits and customs of our lives change from generation to generation. Sometimes for better, sometimes for necessity. I attempt not to judge the new habits and customs as negative – even when I don’t understand them (Yet). The new habits and customs have arisen from a need to be expressed, like gender identity or changes in technology. I hold to the Truth of this change – Divine Order is unfolding to advance our greater good. This is the same Truth available to my ancestors and to our future generations.
Even with this Truth, no doubt I will recall my good ole’ days with fond nostalgia. Like you, grateful for a time that holds special meaning for us.
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert