New Mexico
Memories. How would we manage without memories? I have current memories which I cherish that began about 1963 until this very day. A treasury of memories from a husband, daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren. Seems new memories are created daily.
But for this writing I am thinking about memories from 1952 to 1962. A little three-year old girl with her grandparents and three-year old cousin. Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico. It wasn’t a state park when first I camped there. Swam in the Gravel Pit lakes before they were the Gravel Pit Lakes.
Two little campers. Two loving and very patient grandparents and mountain adventures year after year for ten years.
I learned a good deal about faith, forgiveness, love and grace while playing there. My role models teaching me about the important things in life. I learned that money is not required to find beauty in creation. A tent and a teardrop trailer could teach little ones about the important things in life. Two very tired little beings, still chattering in the dark night, about the adventures of the day with two very tired grandparents who were hopeful sleep would take us soon. No RV’s, refrigerators, iPhones, iPads, televisions…nothing but the woods, a creek, mountains, chipmunks, and two adults willing to sacrifice their vacation time for two rambunctious adventurers.
They say you can’t go back. They are wrong. When I drive back through this canyon, the past floods over me. I hear the laughter of two children and the words of caution to watch for bears…but no restriction. We ran through the creek and the trees alone and unafraid.
The smell of pine trees and pinion wood fires burning as the Coleman lantern wicks brought down the light and sleep came. Early morning rising and afternoon naps hearing the thunder and rain falling gently through the forest. Day after day catching fish with granddad, learning to cook over an open fire with grandmother and learning what it means to be a free spirit and have a soul as close as a brother to share it with.
~Thought For Today~
We may never know the influence we had on the youth of our day. The youth who are special in each of our lives. But we can be assured of one thing. They are watching to see what is important, how we handle difficulties and how important the triune God is in our lives. A reflection of His love, His grace and His mercy, to little eyes, hearts and minds for learning.
~Scripture For Today~
Psalms 71:5
5 For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. (NASB)
Psalms 71:17
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. (NASB)
2 Timothy 3:15
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Thank You for the teachings from our youth. For those who taught us Your ways and Your love for us. Refresh our minds of our history. Of those You placed near us to be witness of Your love for us, the grace and mercy that Jesus made available to all who believe. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.