Experiences

It has been forever it seems since my last post.  I really don't know where October went, but it went by so fast.  I was able to purchase something I've been wanting for quite some time... a Coke machine.  It is a late 60's style, red with the door on the side.  When I was a kid, I remember going to my Paw Paw's barber shop and shining shoes.  I would spend a bunch of the money that I earned on bottled Cokes and Lance peanuts.  We would put our 35 cents into the machine and I would climb up to the top of the shoe shine chair to get into the peanuts.  My Paw Paw and I would take a drink of the Coke and put some of the peanuts into the bottle.  A little salty and a little sweet.  We would sit there during the slow times and just chat.  I don't know what an 8 year old says anymore, but the point is I loved it.  Those were some great memories. 


So I have been focused (somewhat) on fixing up the machine to make it actually cool and to make it more efficient.  That has been an experience altogether different, but that is not the focus of this post.  Getting the Coke machine has made me realize some things.  We fly by during our youth wishing for when we are older.  When we get older we strive for the things of our youth, to remind us of a "better" time or a time that we treasure the most.  


Fast forward to Tuesday night.  Anna had a coupon for a movie.  It was Toy Story 3 and we were on our way to CVS to get it.  Sam and I loaded up in our truck to make the 7 mile journey and he was excited.  Sam asked to hear "How He Loves" by Jesus Culture.  In the chorus, Kim Walker sings, "He loves us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves us, oh how he loves!"  To this Sam begins exclaiming at the top of his lungs the chorus to perfection.  Looking in the rearview mirror, I see that he has his eyes closed and singing with everything he has.  


Now I don't know if he has any idea of what he is singing.  I only pray that one day he will truly understand the depth of the Father's love for us that His son had to suffer a horrible death in our place.  Regardless, hearing my child sing of the truth in such a way is one of those great memories that I will want to get back one day.  I'll just have to treasure it in my heart until I see the Lord himself clothed in all His splendor.  We are drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes.  So I am reminded, don't focus too much on the things that have already passed us by, or the present will become a memory of something to which we never really took part.