I said my Easter Speech, 55 years later

I said my Easter speech Sunday, 55 years later.

Yesterday, the children of New Tabernacle continued a long standing tradition of reciting Easter speeches. They ranged from two word speeches, ("Easter Easter") to elaborate poems all presented to a receptive audience. To just about every one's surprise, I gave the last Easter speech.

When I was about six years old I somehow remember attending a small church in Atlanta, Georgia in which I was given an Easter speech to recite. I had a small bunny rabbit that I carried with me as I stood on a box and recited my Easter speech, loudly and with confidence. Afterwards there were plenty of adults who praised me and said, "That boy is going to be a preacher one day."

Four years later, in Monroe I stood on a box to say an Easter speech at Tabernacle. Eight years after that the box changed; I stood behind the pulpit at Tabernacle to preach my first sermon. Two years later I was named the church youth minister. Six years after that I was installed as pastor in the same church. I've been standing behind that same pulpit for 34 years.

Sunday, to every one's surprise I stood on a box at Tabernacle and recited my Easter speech from 55 years ago. (without the bunny rabbit).

"Easter after Easter the message is the same
Easter after Easter God's word to proclaim!
Happy Easter Everybody!

The surprised congregation applauded and the children rolled with laughter

A bible verse in Proverbs 22:6 that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

That definitely proved true for me. I've been one soapbox or another most of my life.

I wonder what happened to that bunny rabbit?