Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

“Wouldn’t it be nice” is just one of many songs from my childhood and youth that are currently used in today’s media. This one is found in a commercial. This is a Beach Boys tune that has a young man speaking to his girl, talking about how great it would be to be older and be able to be an adult. How many movies have we seen about kids who are suddenly adults?

I’d like to take this idea to its justifiable fruition. When I was listening to this song as a teenager, I wanted to someday get married and have a family. Not until after I graduated from college and was on my way to becoming a journalist.

Then Jesus convinced me that it would be better to follow what He thought I should do. I changed majors and aspirations for my future and completed my degree as a preacher’s son. I had every intention of attending seminary and even made plans to marry my fiancé so that we could move in together.

That was not His plan. We got married, and the job I had taken before graduating moved me into a management trainee position. Two weeks after the wedding, I was told we were moving. We spent a little over a year there and decided, “Wouldn’t it be nice” to move back to Springfield.

That is what we did. Then we decided that we wanted to stop renting and buy a home. We went to work and remodeled it, and three children later, sold it and purchased a larger home. We have slept together for almost fifty years now. I think we have earned the right to brag about that.

Our dreams of becoming grown-ups have come true. Not because someone granted our wish. We did it with God’s help and instruction. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could do that? If that is what you want, follow our lead and get ‘er done.

There have been many opportunities that we have had in this lifetime. We have served our family, friends, and Lord in many diverse ways. Neither of us went to jail, but we did serve on juries. We also have never run for a political office, but we do work as election judges.

Now, it would be nice to make it to our fiftieth anniversary later this year. We have talked about going on a cruise someday or riding a train farther than a few miles on scenic trips. Cindy might want to take a balloon ride or go skydiving. She would need to do this without me. I have acrophobia.

No matter what age you are, you should always have hopes and ambitions. Think of something that you want to do and have not tried yet. It would be my wish that you accept Jesus as your savior and Lord sometime soon. I hope you have a friend or family member who can show you how.

©Copyright 2026 by Charles Kensinger