Stay Young or Die Trying

"Why shouldn't we go roller skating, Ralph? We're not that old.

"Face it Alice, the golden years are gone! We've hit the second plateau."

- Ralph and Alice Kramden, The Honeymooners

One of my favorite Honeymooners episodes is when Alice tries to convince Ralph to recapture their youth by going dancing and roller skating. And of course if your familiar with the characters, especially Ralph, you know things never turn out quite right. Ralph hurts his back and emphatically exclaims, "If we keep this up I'll lose my old age!"

And just like all of the other episodes of The Honeymooners Ralph ends with a bit of wisdom,

"Acting young isn't what keeps you young, but if you've got some memories of when you were young, that's what keeps you young."

Trying to stay young by doing things you may have done when you were younger can be dangerous, case in point would be Ralph. But aside from memories, if you can retain a childlike heart even in your older years some of that youth within you that's bursting to come out can be put to good use as you relate to the younger generations. Just having a childlike heart can keep you young as you build relationships with your children, grandchildren, and those you come in contact with.

On a recent Monday night while feeding the hungry on the streets of Chicago with the Night Ministry, we had a larger amount of young children than we usually have, probably stemming from the spectacular summer weather. On this particular night we had stocked up on lots of candy and treats for the children. As moms with kids in strollers stood in line for hot food, the little kids in tow were smiling, laughing, and grinning from ear to ear with all the extra attention they were given from our team as we handed them treats.

Upon setting up our supplies beforehand , an elderly gentleman had approached me for a bottle of water. As I gave him the water I mentioned to him to come back in one hour because we would be given out hot meals. His reaction was similar to those little children we handed out candy to, especially when I told him what was on the menu.

Later on, as the line began to grow about seventy strong, I saw the old man quietly standing in line. When I gave him his bag he just smiled and said, "Thank you."  In that quiet still moment I felt that this man had a childlike heart just as those little children who stood in line before him.

Jesus once told His own disciples that the secret to greatness was to be humble like an open and trusting little child:

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. - Mathew 18

Carrying with you a childlike heart can take you much further than just recapturing memories of your youth. It will carry you for a lifetime and beyond.