My Childhood TreeHouse Remains!

The ole fort!

A few weeks ago I was given the honor of viewing the property and home of my childhood.  I was excited to see our old fort still perched up in the old oak tree.  Even that rope ladder that was so difficult to climb still hung as testament to the challenges of life and growing up! 

I suppose as I think and muse over my life, this photo of our fort that we built and created approx. 30 years ago, captures the beauty of life, even as it's ending.  Everything is given to rot, decay, disease, and old age.  But not everything will die. 

God has created within us, a living breathing soul that will live throughout an eternity.  Earth is just a passing phase and so brief at that.  As I stood looking at the old fort standing as witness to many a good fight so many years ago, I couldn't help but feel proud of my parents for raising us the way they did.  They certainly gave us a lot of freedom to roam but introduced to Jesus Christ.  They had recently come themselves and they taught us what they were learning.  It was discipleship at it's earliest stage.

As we all walk the road of life together, we've experienced brokenness on some level in some way.  We may be tired, we may be healing, we may be experiencing great victories or suffering defeat.  Life is made of ups and downs and we shouldn't expect anything other. 

Yet though it all, we are in reality victors.  Victors over sin, death, bitterness, and strife.  We may not look successful to the world but we are called His own beloved and precious, bought with His blood. 

We are filled with memories, laughter, love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness.  We are filled to the brim with joy and peace that surpasses understanding.  We are at rest deep within our souls, knowing God hold's our future and that for an eternity with Him.

Though the outward man is wasting away, the inner man is being renewed day by day.  Press on Mama's and Daddy's everywhere.  You are building eternity in the hearts of your young as you introduce them to Jesus.  Every other pursuit in life will pale in comparison to the pursuit of your Savior.  I'm so glad my parents left their dreams in the dust and pursued their Master, Savior, Lord and King.