The Great Reward

The Great Reward

by louis gander 2009

In Jesus' day (some time ago),
there were no toys or balls to throw.
There were no bikes or baby chairs,
erector sets or teddy bears.

No strollers rolled down dirt streets.
No snacks to munch on for their treats.
No marbles, checkers, kaleidoscope -
yet every child learned to cope.

They didn't have those spinning tops,
nor ice cream cones or lolly pops,
no toy soldiers, dolly names,
movie shows, computer games.

They never missed their favorite show.
They never saw a night light glow.
They didn't feel the least depraved
when pizza wasn't micro waved.

They didn't ski, go out for sports,
have special shoes, designer shorts.
Suspenders held their trousers up.
They said, "yes sir" and never "yup".

Words weren't written on their shirts,
or on their shorts right where it hurts,
but in their heart's most inner core,
so non-existent anymore.

They didn't own a motorboat -
but had their cow, their hen, their goat.
Our pets today eat so much better.
They're not used for coat or sweater.

They didn't know they acted "cool".
No dirt bikes then ran out of fuel.
Before they learned what dirt could yield,
they pulled by hand the rocks from field.

They didn't have to mow the lawn
or pull the weeds 'til they were gone -
though at times they might be fickle,
cutting hay with father's sickle.

No birthday cakes with frosting glitter.
Those veggies really weren't so bitter.
Now don't forget the outdoor "john".
All summer long, no AC on.

And faucets just did not exist.
They carried buckets in their fist.
Kids learned to work just like an ox -
and often without shoes or socks.

They worked to learn and did their best
and had no cushy couch for rest.
No Frisbee's, yoyo's, or a sled -
but so content to go to bed.

On cold nights, they got a chill.
No doctors came when they got ill.
So now you know what kids had then -
yet thanked the Lord and said "Amen".

They learned their Bible inside out
and really didn't go without.
Rewards were great - not like today,
when kids had much more time to pray.