The Parade is Passing By

 
April 11, 2021
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
Titonka Indian Days—those were the days.  Every year, the carnival came to town.  There was a huge parade with high school bands, from miles around, marching in the route.  Every nearby town had its own float to promote their community.  The town was always full of people.  The three-block main street (that’s stretching it) was transformed to a gigantic entertainment center with merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels, loop-o-planes, and a whole lot of other carnival rides.
 
It was great as I stood on the corner at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, watching the parade pass by, chasing down every piece of candy thrown out.  Family, friends, they all came to join in the fun…oh, the memories.
 
Then something happened.  Suddenly, the parade wasn’t as long.  The fun rides shrunk down to a few bouncy houses.  I didn’t chase after the candy anymore.  The “worker bees” that organized this monumental event, stepped down.  I have a whole lot of recollections like that from my younger years.  I can’t go back and relive those days gone by.  So, I ask myself, “What changed?”  I’m afraid the answer is simply, I grew up, I changed.
 
In the rearview mirror, things and memories grow smaller and fade from view.  What lay ahead, as I look forward, looms larger and by the day, more grandiose.  The past is gone, and tomorrow is yet to be.  But on the horizon, I see Jesus coming for me, for you.
 
None of us can change what has been.  But we need to live today to be ready for Jesus tomorrow.  Oh, don’t forget, yesterday, today was tomorrow……
 
Jesus is coming soon!
 
Love in Christ,
Pastor Allan