For we know that if our earthly body , this tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building (body) from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.The other evening while walking B. to her place on the couch with M. her hip joints were creaking away like crazy.
She does not have an artificial hip, but a few years ago when she suffered a broken hip they pinned it. Now as she struggles along that hip creaks like an old barn door. We joke about it and try to make light of it.
On Tuesday evening I remembered a really old song from my childhood made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford, called 'This Old House'.
I had heard the late George Younce of the Cathedral Quartet sing it so beautifully, so I went to Limewire and now it is in my music file.
If I could find a way to put it in my blog here I would, but for now I am going to just give the lyrics,and anyone of a certain age will know the tune.
This old house once knew my children, this old house once knew my wife,
This old house was home and comfort as we fought the storms of life.
This old house once rang with laughter, this old house heard many shouts,
Now she trembles in the darkness when the night wind walks about.
Chorus:
Ain't gonna need this house no longer , ain't gonna need this house no more,
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, ain't got time to fix the floor,
Ain't got time to oil the hinges nor to mend my window pane,
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints.
This old house is gettin shaky, this old house is gettin' old,
This old house lets in the rain, this old house lets in the cold.
On my knees I'm gettin' chilly, but I feel no fear or pain,
Cause I see an angel peekin' through a broken window pane.
Chorus: Ain't gonna need this house no longer....
Now my ol' hound dog lies a sleepin' He don't know I'm gonna leave,
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace , and sit there and howl and grieve,
But my huntin' days are over, for I ain't gonna hunt for 'coon no more,
Gabriel done brought in the chariot when the wind blew down the door.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer.....
In the arrogance of our youth, we think and feel that we are invincible. For many years it is all about us, raising our children as best we can, making the best of what life sends our way.
I remember giving little thought to the fact that my parents were actual people with hopes and dreams of their own. I remembered their struggles and their fights, but really had no idea how their broken dreams had cast a shadow over all of us. I didn't care much back then either but just wanted to get away .
With maturity and Jesus , I eventually came to a deep understanding and appreciation of my mom and dad as people like me. My dad died when he was two years younger than I am now, and I was 32 then.
I understood but I did not really ever get to know them the way I now wished I had. It just wasn't done in those days, at least not in our house.
I am so glad times have changed. I love getting to know and enjoy my children as the wonderful adults they have all become. I am so proud of each and every one of them and all they have accomplished in their lives so far. I remember being their age.
Still, it never occurred to me that someday, I would be the age my parents were when I though them old and so uninformed. Now I have some of the same wrinkles some of the same aches and pains in my joints, and maybe just maybe, my hips will creak like the barn door as well.
I pray that I will always remember my children, my grandchildren, what I have just eaten, what day it is , how to dress, how to lay down, and most especially I pray fervently that I never forget my God.
Funny the memories that and old song can trigger .
