The Road to Childhood

ã 1998 Jennifer LeMaire

Days gone by I remember

Cool breezes flowing through my hair

Sunlight glinting off old swing chains

Where did my innocence go?

Times of comfort in my mother’s arms

Waiting for Daddy to come home

The peace that fills a child’s heart

Simple knowledge that all would be well.

Trouble came to the little girl

Innocence replaced with pain

Virtue stolen, heart crushed

Cynicism born in adversity

What happened to that peaceful breeze?

What happened to carefree days in the sun?

What happened to the certainty that all would be well?

Does everything work out OK?

Apparently not anymore.

Was there hope to be born anew?

Could peace rise from age old flames?

Did comfort exist in this realm at all?

Where did my childhood go?

An offered hand, of help, of love

A hand of peace and comfort

A hand revealed in Creation’s works

Could I have my childhood again?

"You must be born again" the Rabbi said

Could one return to the womb?

A birth of the spirit was Heaven’s offer

The road to childhood now open.

But could I accept Messiah’s offer?

Could I lay down my stress?

Would the pain and anguish truly be washed away

With the Sacrifice of the One?

Many years have passed since that day

The day I took His hand

Still I am learning how to walk this road

The road that returns me to my innocence.

I must lay down my worries, lay down my fears

Trust again in the comfort of a parent

Relax and enjoy the evening breeze

As it blows my hair again.

Now I learn once more how to smell the tiny flowers

And play in the grass

And savor the good things of life

I must sacrifice my cynicism on the altar of peace.

It’s amazing how difficult it is to let go

To revel in life like a child

I am learning each day, that this Walk I am on

Is the eternal road to childhood.

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