I’ve been thinking lately of when I was a kid. Life for me as a child was a wonderful adventure. 

Unless you’ve had a traumatic childhood, most people have good memories of when they were a kid. Life was new…everything was an experience to the senses. Small things brought joy and excitement. You noticed and examined tiny things…colors…smells…. 

Summertime for me was magical. Every season brought it’s own joys, but summer was different. It was a time when the regular structure relaxed. Playtime was longer…bedtime was a little later. The possibilities for daily adventure were pretty limitless to a child with a lot of energy, strong imagination, and a joy for living. 

I grew up in a populous suburb of a large city. In our neighborhood were hundreds of tiny houses like mine, a school, a community pool and a corner store. My life revolved around these things. We all knew our neighbors and their names and some of their background. We all hung out together, at different times… knowing whose yard or home contained that which would contribute to that days’ search for adventure . We especially knew which houses had the best hideout bushes and meeting points for when we were out playing things like hide and seek, tag, street ball, etc… 

We were on the constant outlook for fun. 

In the summer we would get up and out early and play most all day outside. We’d spend many afternoons around the corner at the neighborhood pool. Even meal times in the summer were different from the usual northern diet of meat, potatoes and canned vegetables. 

Night time brought it’s own joys. It was as if you could breath in the sights, sounds and smells of dusk. The contrasting hues, the wonder of light transforming to dark and the sudden pronouncement of the coming of night by stars that held their peace by day. There was the surprise arrival in July of lightening bugs that sparkled in the shadows. Sometimes we’d sleep out in the tent in our yard, which for me was as close to heaven as you could get. 

Sometimes we’d discover things you wouldn’t expect to see in a cemented environment like a praying mantis or a snake! Wow! 

These memories came to mind as I was thinking about the summer to come this year. Early in 2008 I felt that this was going to be a spiritually “hot” summer. Where unexpected things would occur that would bring us together as the body of Christ. Much like the community I remember only better. I didn’t know what, but I imagined gatherings and fellowships…the simple joys of shared camaraderie that had the same tone as my childhood experiences. 

I believe that the “climate of faith” that is being created by the Florida revival and other revival outbreaks and happenings will contribute to this. I believe the body of Christ will rise up and re-discover the joys of life and the joys of living together as the family of God, and ultimately the joy of knowing Jesus himself! 

Some points that come to mind from my happy childhood: 

1. Each day, time of day, and season is new and fresh and has hidden joys waiting to be discovered. 

(some of the greatest joys are hidden and must be discovered, some aren’t hidden at all but can easily be missed without an observant eye)

2. Take time to examine small things/discoveries. Savor each opportunity. 

3. Changes bring new discoveries. 

4. Everyone has something all their own to contribute to the body of Christ. 

5. There are appointed seasons for our lives. Winters might be long, but Spring always comes. 

6. There is always something to be thankful for. 

7. Hope breeds excitement for living. 

8. Focus on finding what is good, not on finding what is bad. 

9. Pray, ask, and look for the unexpected. 

10. The only thing that really matters in life is learning how to release to others expressions of love, joy, hope, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

My hope and prayer for all who read this is that you find great joy this summer.  New childlike hope, new discoveries, and new relationships that will bond you with your brothers and sisters in Christ in such a way that the world will know that God is in you, that He is real, and that He is good!

Bless you.

Sue Alspach