THINGS WE CHERISH
Donald R. Fox
As I read and studied a quote from “Word of The Day – December 5, 2012,” it fascinated me because of the simple honesty of its truth. Truth for me, I do not know how others may feel about it. Notice as follows the quote, “When we look back, the only things we cherish are those which in some way met our original want; the desire which formed in us in early youth, undirected, and of its own accord.” Willa Cather (1873-1947)
The word cherish is defined in part as “to hold dear, feel or show affection for; to keep or cultivate with care and affection; to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely.”
Willa Cather’s quote affirms that the wants of our youth are the things we cherish. What was “our original wants"? Was it a spiritual desire to be a good person or was it a desire for things and self-centered earthly pleasures? Was it for service to God Almighty or was it a self-seeking drive for power and control over people? Our juvenile nurturing years, our upbringing is so important because of the molding of who we are. Sadly, we have observed some who have selfish negative traits. Many embrace these traits in their youth, thus they have chosen a life of egotism. We must remember, no matter how cruel and sad your youthful years are, that we all have the power to choose. The surroundings and moral conditions of our society will play a great part of our thinking and make-up. With that said, we still have our individual reasoning and God given ability to choose. Some choose evil and others goodness and rightness.
In a very sick way, one can cherish evil and “leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the forwardness of the wicked: whose ways are crooked,” (Proverbs 2:13-15 KJV)
MANKIND HAS THE POWER TO CHOOSE WHAT WE CHERISH.
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 KJV)
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)
NOTE: For additional study see the following essays: “EVIL LURKING”,“INSANE OR EVIL?" “SEASON OF EVIL”,“MOTHERS WHO KILL THEIR CHILDREN” and “CLARENCE DARROW."