Waste Not. . .

If you're among the not-so-young, you can readily finish the phrase, "Waste not, want not."  I love all the old folks' wise sayings!  Last night, my friend, Peggy, and I watched 3 episodes of "Bomb Girls," a British TV series about the women of England who worked in factories making bombs during the Second World War. As we watched the tremendous sacrifices of those living during the War, Peggy was reminded of a saying her mother had repeatedly advised, "What you waste today, you'll want tomorrow."  Same thing.

Then we considered how some of our family and friends, in our opinion, waste and waste, to the limits of their incomes.  Let's go back in time a bit.  When Peggy and I were in our growing-up years, the entire culture of raising children was entirely opposite from what it is now. Children were to be "seen and not heard."  In other words, children were NOT the center of attention, children needed to be observing adults so they could learn.

To continue, children in marriage were expected and loved, but never put on a pedestal above one's marriage.  The marriage was primary.  After children grew up, they were expected to leave home and get married and have more children. Then the wife and husband could enjoy their later years expecting to see lots of grandchildren.

Also, back then, the husband was the primary and ONLY wage-earner.  Wives took great pride in stretching their husbands' incomes.  That meant that, no matter what job the husband held, parents could feed the family, put a roof over their family's heads, and clothe the family.  Life was much easier, considering everyone knew the expected roles.

In making one income cover all basic needs, both parents had to be extremely thrifty.  All the women cooked 'from scratch,' and most sewed most of the families' clothing.  Gifts, when they were given, were never extravagant.  But gifts were very, very much appreciated.  If you ever had the opportunity to listen to a senior citizen talk about life during the depression (or read about it), you would know the sacrifices that had to be made.  But sacrifices were made with love.

What Peggy and I see in young families today is that, in the majority of families, both parents are wearing themselves out working at jobs to get money and putting themselves in great debt, making sure their children have the BEST of EVERYTHING, even though they, themselves didn't have the BEST, perhaps because they didn't have the best.

I will say this plainly: most of today's children are spoiled rotten, through and through!  When you see that nearly every child has an expensive iPhone, their own computers, tablets, TVs and music systems in their own private rooms, you would have to agree: they're spoiled!  When you see that nearly every child has so many toys that their parents have to give some of them away to make room for new ones, you would have to agree: they're spoiled!  When you see that nearly every child and their parents take multiple out-of-town vacations every year, no doubt, they're spoiled.

Look at the young people involved with drugs, alcohol, and sex.  Why is there such an epidemic of this, new "expected behavior?"  One reason is that they're bored with 'things!' - too many things!  Young people these days are having an extremely difficult time committing to anything and everything.  They can't even decide on a college major, most of them.  Too many "choices!"

Looking back, my life had problems, just like everyone else's, but I was determined to NEVER spoil my children.  They grew up knowing, "We can give you everything you NEED, but if you want more expensive stuff, GET A JOB!  And they did.  My dad had told me, "I can give you all of what you need and some of what you want."

My children also were brought up with college expectations: go to U.K. (University of Kentucky, the state college) or get your own scholarship.  The boys went into the Navy and the girls went to U.K. except for one that got a scholarship to Boston University.  I think it's really nice of some of my friends to take their high schoolers around the country looking at the college their children would prefer (no matter the cost!), but hate to see them go horribly in debt.  My own feeling is that, the more you go into debt, the less your child will appreciate it!  Daddy told me, "I could pay for your college, but you'll appreciate it more if you pay, too.  So, I'll pay for half and you pay for half."  It worked.

So, consider for yourself: what wise 'sayings' do you repeatedly tell your children?  Will they pass down these sayings and habits to their own children?

Dear Lord, thank you for our wise elders, thank you for their generosity, for their sacrifices.  May we learn and do the same, with your help!