We’ve become such a watcher society. We sit back and let the idiot screen show some entertainment. We even watch others on the field of play instead of playing some backyard ball. We go to concerts and let someone else sing to us, or we tune a dial or find a stream to listen to our favorite tunes.
We “go” somewhere to find entertainment!
Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with any of these things. I earned a career with computers! I enjoy some artists enough to see them in person. And there’s nothing better than watching a good Golf Match!
But I remember being told to go “play” and not given something to play with!
We made do and entertained ourselves with what we had, often digging around for something to play with. Imagination is a wonder. A stick becomes a knife. A tire becomes a swing. With a vine, you become Tarzan. When it rains, a dammed-up ditch becomes a battle scene where you bomb each other’s vessels (sticks).
What we need are the experiences that we create ourselves.
My grandparents lived on a lake—we lived in the water! At the same time, Granddad had a farm. We loved the old barns, hunting squirrels, and digging for worms. Grandmother sold old bottles, and we loved to root around in the old dumping grounds of bygone eras. Watch out for snakes! That’s what my BB gun is for.
When we needed money, we often worked to acquire the funds. I started mowing when I was about seven years old, carrying the lifeguard’s lunch to our refrigerator for a nickel and collecting coke bottles (the generic term) for their deposit. You had to wash them out, clean them up, and then lug them to a convenience store to trade for pennies – but we made our own money!
I watched a hunter’s video on YouTube. After spending thousands of dollars on gear, it’s time to head for the wild and get some dinner. What’s wrong with slipping out into the woods with just your gun? I watched a video about building something in the shop. Do you know how much money those tools cost? We used to assemble things to play with from Granddad’s barn. Skateboards, anyone?
In 1975, I met some of my wife’s family. Her uncle (cousin?) hunted turkeys with a sling like David may have used facing Goliath. If it was good enough for a shepherd boy…hmmm… Show me how. He did. I went home and made my own. I was not as successful as he, but the trying gave me an experience that lives with me nearly 50 years later!
It’s almost like we must pay good dollars before enjoying anything.
After 9/11, I quit carrying a pocket knife. I was not allowed on the airplane with one, and I flew frequently. These days? I seldom fly anymore, so I’ve started the pocket knife habit. I didn’t spend money on one, although the styles have changed significantly. Digging through my toolbox, I found an old trusty knife from 40 years ago – sharpened it up, tested it out, and now what? Whittle a piece of wood, make some kindling, or just the pride of being prepared as a scout!
Through the years, a good book satisfies.
But the way my mind and memory works,
A book previously read is still rich and rewarding.
Satisfying. And that’s good enough.
While this thought is fresh,
How many times have I read the Bible through?
There is no way of knowing. Fits and starts.
Stopping after getting sidetracked…
But I keep going back to those words…
They are Spirit. They are Life.
And that’s good enough!
It is the Spirit who gives life;
the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I speak to you are spirit,
and they are life.
(John 6:63 NKJV)
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!
(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)