Have You Forgotten Again?

This poem was originally published on November 21, 2013.
I have modified it in places but the truth expressed here is still on my heart today.

Have you forgotten those lazy days,
When faces are seen in the clouds?
Have you forgotten what it means to play,
Singing jump rope songs out loud?

Have you forgotten your favorite toy,
Or the feel of your blanket so soft?
Have you forgotten the smell of sweet hay,
As you make up a bed in the loft?

Have you forgotten when playing outside,
Was the greatest thing you could do?
Have you forgotten you came inside,
When on came a streetlight or two?

Have you forgotten when pajama tops,
Became a veil on your head?
Have you forgotten that the old stuffed bear,
Was the one you were going to wed?

Have you forgotten you were going to be,
A surgeon, a dancer, or vet?
Have you forgotten it all lay before,
The secret of now and not yet?

Have you grown so old that you can’t recall,
What you once were as a child?
Have you grown up so much that the burdens of life,
Prevent you from showing your smile?

Can you still make believe? Can you still pretend?
Has life stolen all of your joy?
Can you imagine the way you once did,
When you were a girl or a boy?

Growing up has a demeanor of seriousness,
Not fun-loving, spirited, free.
Growing up will place the weight of the world,
On your shoulders for all eyes to see.

Is there a way to stay tethered,
To the child inside of us all?
Is there a way to look big on the outside,
While holding on to the us that is small?

Growing up just naturally happens.
Growing old is an option, you see.
Not forgetting the child that’s inside us,
Being proud to say, That’s me!

Stay connected to the child you once were,
Never leave your childhood behind.
Tuck it away in a pocket or two,
It’s who you are, fully defined.

We try hard to leave our past behind,
When we must embrace it, you see.
No matter what life has been for us.
It is the essence of you and of me!

_____________________________________________________________

When we are little, we always talk about growing up.
Just wait, when I get bigger…
If we knew then what we know now!

We rush to the next stage, but have we really enjoyed the one we’re in?
The grass is always greener at the next age or at the next life stage.

Wanting “then” robs us of enjoying “now”!
Now is all we have!

Every young mother can attest to saying, I can’t wait until they are out of diapers.
Out of diapers also means up running, playing, less cuddling time, less time on your lap.

The end of something means the beginning of something else.
We don’t think of that when we long for the next phase.

The innocence of a child is something to protect, to preserve for as long as possible.
There is something in the eyes of a child that is not present in the eyes of an adult.
We have seen too much.
We have experienced too much.

We cannot park ourselves in some favorite age and remain there for the rest of our days.
We can find ways to keep the child-like spirit alive inside us.

God has given us a mind.
Made in His image, we are capable of incredible creativity.
How can we find ways to keep that alive?

Made in His image, we are able to imagine and dream impossible things.
How can we find ways to keep our imagination fresh and engaging?

Made in His image, we have a set number of days that He determines.
How can we be good stewards of the time He has given us?

We should not be childish.
We should be child-like!

Child-like.
Dependent on our Heavenly Father.
Imagining His dreams.
Desiring His desires.
Never forgetting what it is like to be HIS child.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11,12)

Have you forgotten?
It is time to remember.
Remember the child you once were.
Remember the child you still are, down deep.

HIS child.
Deeply loved.
Completely forgiven, when you come to Him in repentance.

The only Face you long to see in the clouds is HIS face.
His face, when He comes back to bring you Home.
I am sure a streetlight or two will be on to welcome you.

 

2 responses to “Have You Forgotten Again?”

1. I needed that reminder thank you!

   Reply

   • You are welcome.
     I needed the reminder as well.
     Gina

     Reply