Carnival Days

March 12, 2023

Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
When I was young, the carnival was the most exciting thing to come to town.  Every year, Titonka, Iowa celebrated Indian Days.  Amusement rides, cotton candy, church pies, were all the order of the day.  Of course, then there was the annual parade with every surrounding town displaying their own float along with its own marching band.  Every year, I stood on the corner of where Grandpa and Grandma lived to collect the candies thrown out.
 
There was a time when the merry-go-round was all that mattered.  I just wanted to ride the fastest horse.  As you might imagine, my horse always was the one with lightning speed.  I thought to myself, “Why didn’t my horse ever catch the one in front of him?”  Then, as I grew up, I graduated to the “big kid rides,” the ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, and loop-a-plane.  Here’s some advice, if you ride in the loop-a-plane, empty your pockets before you climb on board.
 
Then, years later, Armona’s sister wanted to ride all of those spinney rides I so enjoyed as a teenager.  “Sure Pam, I’ll ride as many rides as you want to.”  I’m kind of thinking one ride every now and then. NO! Her idea was to do all the rides in twenty minutes.  Everything was going fine, until….until…the rock-o-plane. It must have been about the tenth ride in those twenty minutes, or so it seemed.  Pam’s idea of a fun rock-o-plane ride was not to rock, but to be upside down ALL the time.  Now, even today, I get sick in the tea-cups. 😊
 
I still love the carnival, the fair.  It reminds me of days gone by.  As well, everyone at the fair is happy.  And basically, I’m happy unless it’s too hot or too cold, unless the meal I just bought for an exorbitant price, didn’t live up to expectations, or unless the “carney guy” just bamboozled me out of some money and I didn’t get the teddy bear I wanted.  (Why do grown men need a teddy bear anyway?  Oh wait, grandchildren) 😊
 
At the fair, you need to pay to get in.  At heaven’s gate there is no admission fee.  Look at your ticket to heaven.  Does it say, “Admit one by the grace of Jesus?”  You do have a ticket---right?  If you don’t have one, you better see the ticket Master.  Come to Jesus and your admission is free!!
 
Love in Christ,
Pastor Allan
​
©2023 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved