B. P.

 

I know it's hard for some to imagine, but there was an era in life I call B.P. ( before Pinterest)

A time when everything was less than perfection and no one followed the latest in fad decor, clothing or food.

Food was just breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Basic and as nourishing as mom could make.

You did have options. They were called take it or leave it. Well .... actually it was more like "Eat what's on your plate if you know what's good for you!"

And as hard as it may be to believe, women didn't talk about their weight or diets. They didn't dress according to the latest fashions.

They just sewed a dress from a fabric they liked and could afford, cut out from a well used pattern and they looked nice enough.

They would never go out in pants with holes in them, and certainly wouldn't pay top dollar for clothing with holes or that looked like something from a rag pile.

Home decor was basic also. You made the best of what you had and kept it neat and tidy and clean.

My Nana told me that it didn't matter if you were poor. You could always mend your things and keep them clean and you would be presentable enough.

Thank you Nana.

We weren't competitive.

No one tried to show off what they were or what they had because, basically, we all pretty much had the same thing, and that wasn't much to show off.

That was okay. We had enough and that was a blessing.

Frankly, I'm a bit weary of hearing how people today feel deprived.

There's a problem today with people disliking their parents or relatives and feeling under privileged by some lack.

My feelings are if your mama and daddy fed you, gave you some clothes on your back and you had a warm bed to sleep in at night be grateful and quit complaining. At least your needs were met and you live in a country that gives people a hand up so they can meet basic needs.

There are lots of people in the world who would feel great joy just to have a full belly and shelter.

Just my thought.....

In a Pinterest age I guess folks feel underprivileged and pitiful if they don't have all that glitters.

I guess people today don't realize that things don't bring happiness.

Happiness is a state of mind that never comes to a grumbling heart.

It just doesn't work that way.

Life doesn't have to be Pinterest perfect. Actually.....no one lives a Pinterest life, or for us older ladies, no one lives a Martha Stewart life.

Life isn't neat and tidy.

It often hits us between the eyes when we least expect it.

We can have what I call Kodak moments.

Moments we take pretty pictures and share the blessing of a lovely, cheerful time.

We should be sharing the beauty of our life experience with others. This is encouraging and brings thoughts that allow a moment in time to rejoice and share good news or beautiful blessings.

Our words are to edify the listener. They should lift the heart and leave hope and goodness.

But life is difficult.

We are to bear one another's burdens in the midst of the beauty and sorrow of life.

I know my blog posts are repetitive. They always seem to center on finding good and being grateful.

I just think it's needed today.

I think we need to remember that there once was something different in our society. A time of simplicity when people lived for the Lord and loved their neighbor.

A gentler time when folks didn't compete, but shared humble blessings with one another.

There was time to enjoy life and actually listen to one another.

Nobody lived for the cell phone held in the palm of the hand. We looked at one another.

I mentioned this before, but it bears repeating.....one of my little grands looked at me one day and said, "Grandma I like talking to you because you look at my eyes and not your cell phone."

Like I said yesterday......this life isn't a rehearsal.

It's all we get.

Let's make the most of it by caring about those who live in our homes and cross our path today.

Can you imagine a world where we all made it our ambition to value others above ourselves?

It's required in Philippines 2:3....just a thought.

Take the time to look at people when they speak. Put down the phone, turn from the computer, stop your steps and listen, look, pray, encourage.

In this world you may be the only person who actually speaks to the person in front of you with an actual heart to hear and look into their eyes.

Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can share with another person.

Our focused attention and prayer may be a blessing to someone today. 

Our words may calm a trouble or help soothe a fear.

Jesus would do it if He were here.

Oh wait....He is here. He lives in us and through us.