My Little Red Wagon

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (KJV)

Growing up in a remote community in the 1950's meant no television, and telephones that were shared by three other families on a "party line". Each family had a designated number of rings to which they answered, such as "609 R-3" — meaning that the family with that number answered to three rings — and it was a live operator who rang your number.

Although we played in each other's homes on some occasions, our fun was found mostly out-of-doors in tree forts and playgrounds, in games of tag, "ante-aye-over", kick-the-can, hide-and-seek, and also in some of the popular though less favourable "games", such as "knock-a-door-run".

Without television and with only the occasional movie on a Saturday afternoon or special occasion at the club house, we read a lot, utilizing the local library. We also bought comic books like the "Classics", "Archie and Veronica", "Casper the Friendly Ghost", and "Superman", which were really more a magazine than a book. Whenever we'd finished with our comics we'd pack them into our little red wagon and traipse off to our friends' homes to see if they had any they'd finished with and would like to trade. One friend's mother made the most mouth-watering cinnamon buns ever, and so I would time my trades for her baking night and hungrily trade some comic books for a bun or two.

My little red wagon was always there when I needed it: to haul milk from the little dairy, to deliver the "Star Weekly" newspaper, to pull my dolls or little brother around for a ride, to take a trip to the store, or to take to the top of the hill, climb in (sometimes with a friend in tow), handle inwards to steer and awaaaaaaay we'd go. I loved my little red wagon and I remember once getting bounced out on a bump and being upset, thinking the wagon was at fault, forgetting that the little red wagon was holding me, but it was I who was steering.

Just as God is always there for us to share our happy times or to carry our loads, we must remember when we take a fall who it was that was doing the steering.

Prayer: Ever present Lord, help us always remember to give you the glory as you walk with us in our daily life. Remind us that you hold us in times of triumph and trouble. May we be especially mindful that we are often masters of our own discontent, and that rather than blaming you, we need to seek your forgiveness and understanding. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.