Christian Living

WHEN YESTERYEAR COMES CALLING

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
04/20/20
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PROLOGUE

Dreams, we all have them. As for me, some are good, others rather spooky. So, do you ever dream of going back home? Do these back home dreams ever turn into reality?

They do for me.

Having lived in Panama City, FL for most of my school years from late grammar school through high school, I kind of call PC home.  And when we go back to PC Beach on vacation, I will oftentimes take a drive back over to Panama City proper, driving around my old stomping grounds. Occasionally, I will even go into town and attend the Sunday morning service. All though many friends have passed on, there are still a few of my fellow church members to visit.

So, do you remember when grown-ups seemed glamorous? You expected each day to be fun? When people said "thank you" and "please? When Mom called you in for supper at dusk? When you played hide-and-seek?  When you climbed trees? When downtown seemed so far away? When you caught lightning bugs in a jar? When drugstores had fountains? When most kids had a bike? When you had a wish for each star? When no one had pedigreed dogs? When you read comic books by the ton? When you bought penny candy? When you drank chocolate milk from a glass bottle?

If these simple things bring a smile to your face whenever they're heard or they are told, it means you were lucky to have such good times. It also means you're kind of old!

If not, maybe your Papaw will understand these times. You see I readily boast of being older than dirt, and twice as gritty. In fact, I'm old enough to have my Bible autographed.

Yes, time was good growing up in the good ole Fifties. Life was packed full of happy memories. So, I trust you will give out a little chuckle when reading this blog, if you are in my age range, that is.

Now, please sit back, grab up a big 50’s related bottle of Coke and a sweet snack, and relive with me awhile in “ When Yesteryear Comes Caling.  

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

I’m just worn out, not by age, nor by work. It’s just that these changing times have really taxed our religious faith. Each day basically is an uphill fight, even in our dear old Bible college. Seems like I went to sleep in the fifties and awoke in this progressive twenty-first century. If only I could return to the past, just a tad, just enough to get reenergized. 

I should have seen it coming. My years were seemingly passing me by. My work at the Bible college seemed to be winding down. If only I could go home again, just for a moment in time. Please Lord, just one more wish. Then, it happened.

I had a dream. A dream of which most adjectives could not began to describe. It was the most uncommon dream I think I’ve ever had. Kind of refreshing, I must say.    

I suddenly found myself sitting on the side of my big bright red-striped youth racecar bed, with my good luck Teddy Bear tucked by my side with only one eye and the missing stuffing.

OK, let me see. Yes, my toys happened to be all lying in place; my Rockem Sockem Robots, my award-winning Duncan Yo-Yo, my Mr. Potato Head, my Lego building blocks, my Play-Doh, my whistling music spinning top, and all the rest. Just sitting there idly waiting to play again. But where’s my new Western Flyer bike? Oh, I recall, I had to leave it in the garage because of the muddy tires.

But I didn’t have time to play, as I was too preoccupied. “Just how did I get here, back in time? And where is everybody, Dad, Mom and Sis? What now am I to do?” I thought, scratching this old, bald head of mine in total bewilderment.

That’s when the scene really became weird, by the knock on my bedroom door. Out of nowhere came a most fitting character for the occasion. He was dressed in tight-fitting blue jeans, a tight white T-Shirt and customary black leather jacket, collar pulled up, sporting the usual duck-tail haircut to match. He was snapping his fingers as he walked.

Not saying a word, he began to shuffle around the room waving his arms, as if he was conducting a full-scale orchestra and my old toys suddenly came to life.  It felt like my old racecar youth bed was about to take off for the races, with the wind blowing between its wheels. I could hear the engine roaring.

My musical top began to spin out a familiar tune. The Robots started boxing. Mr. Potato Head started searching for his missing eyes. The Lego blocks had formed into a large castle. And all the other toys fell right in line with their particular entertaining expertise.  What a sight to behold!   

After all the commotion settled down, the unusual character calmly and quietly moved towards the door, still not saying a word. His final wave had the exact opposite effect on all my toys. As he disappeared through the doorway, all my toys settled back down in their original places. 

“Just what was this all about, this sudden dream, and where did this Fifties-generated character come from?" I wondered. (Hebrews 13:2)

Well, this most unusual dream, or whatever it was, wasn’t quite over anyway. My trusty Teddy Bear suddenly came to life again.  Cuddling next to me, Mr. Teddy handed me a handwritten note, exhibiting a well-known Scripture verse.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (I Cor. 13:11)

Before having a chance to hug Mr. Teddy in thanks, I awoke out of this most unusual dream. It was all over, but as I had caught the message behind this strange episode. I knew exactly what I needed to do. Amen!  

EPILOGUE

What exactly do you think this main character meant by his last statement? Oftentimes, human nature being what it is, we all tend to reminisce a little. Psychology has a perfect down-to-earth explanation for this. It's named “vivid recall.” I often recall my youth in perfect living color, but sometimes I have to ask the wife what day it is.  

So was the main fictitious character of this blog, a rather highly educated beloved Bible professor, affected by today’s common humanistic disease? Was Teddy’s particular note and Scripture passage applicable to the main thought of his dream? I think so, it was a nice realistic wake up call. He could now retire in perfect peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)  

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” (Proverbs 16:31)

Alexa, turn down the lights and tune in the 50’s radio channel, please, while I adjust my trusty mancave recliner. If only I don’t snooze off again. "Honey, be sure and wake me in time for my favorite TV soap opera, please."

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