Meanderings, Memories and a Rock in My Ear

In many ways it made perfect sense that I would have a rock in my ear…

THA-THUNK…THA-THUNK…THA-THUNK… I’d crossed this bridge a thousand times before. Today, the creaking and groaning of old wooden boards caused me to pause. Fond childhood memories washed over me at the smell of the tall pines and the symphony I was hearing.

Stopping in the middle of the bridge, I listened to the music: Warbling birds were the lead singers, while chirping crickets played backup; turtles plopped into the water, adding a rhythmic beat. Seeing the lazy water of the bayou, smelling tar on the wooden bridge, listening to nature’s concert, took me back to a simpler time…

 

When I was a child, there were no electronic games to amuse me. Entertainment consisted of exploring my neighborhood, yard and street. Ordinary things delighted me, like popping the tar bubbles on the asphalt street. Pure, simple joy came from bursting those bubbles with a rock.

The heat of the day would give way to afternoon showers. The street gutter became an overflowing river. I launched many leaf-boats into that gushing river. Running along the banks (our yard), I would watch the leaf-boat swiftly ride the white water rapids until it came to its final destination – the drain on the corner. There it disappeared, never to be seen again.

Then there was the time I got a rock stuck in my ear. Yes, really! A rock in my ear! We had pebbles at the edge of our yard. I picked up handfuls and let them fall through my fingers to the street. The stones clicked like hail hitting a window.

Wouldn’t it be really cool to hear the rocks louder? It made perfect sense to me! I scooped up a handful, turned my head sideways and let them fall through my fingers, into my ear. The mini rock slide sounded like an avalanche!

I turned my head the opposite way, so the rocks could fall out. Don’t you know, one of them got stuck! The harder I tried to get it out of my ear, the tighter it lodged. I had gotten myself into a bind. I thought Mama and Daddy would kill me! So, I did what any five year old would do: Nothing. I didn’t say a word.

 

That evening, after my bath, Mama was using a q-tip to dry my ears. She felt something hard.

“What’s that in your ear?”

I shrugged. Maybe she would lose interest.

She called for Daddy to look. When I saw him with the flashlight, I knew I was in trouble. The light shining in my ear clearly revealed my secret. The rock.

“How on earth did you get a rock in your ear?”

Another shrug. I really, really hoped they would get tired and go to bed. No such luck. Finally I had to confess: I just wanted to hear what a rock slide would sound like up close and personal!

At that moment, I’m pretty sure they wondered if I had been switched at birth…

These little tales of mine record my memories and help me see and recall my childhood. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good! I am thankful to God for that.

Why take the time to record these stories? Why should you record yours?

Scripture tells us to remember:

Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. (Joel 1:3)

When the Lord stopped the flowing waters of the Jordan River so the people of Israel could cross, they marked the spot with stones. These stones were their memorial marker. They would use them as a reminder of what the Lord had done. (Joshua 4:6-9)

The Lord God routed the Philistines before Israel. Samuel placed a stone to commemorate God’s victory over the enemy. It was named Ebenezer – the stone of help. (1 Samuel 7:12)

Every story I write, every blog I post, is a marker, remembering what the Lord has done in my life…the things He’s done for me and through me. They remind me of His faithfulness and His help.

These stories of God working in my life can be passed down from generation to generation, for everyone to see and know this: The Lord is good! As He has been good to me, so He will be good to you, if you will trust in Him!

Each story is an Ebenezer stone. Sometimes it gets stuck in my mind, but never in my ear!

Linking up today with Hazel, over at Tell Me A True Story blog party!