Legacy of Responsibility

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement
Legacy of Responsibility

My grandparents raised their food. They kept chickens for eggs and meat. They had cows for milk and butter. They raised lambs for wool which Grandma carded and stuffed into quilts. They raised hogs for meat. They planted and harvested fields of grain and gardens of vegetables. They made and repaired shoes. Over her lifetime, Grandma sewed miles of fabric into shirts, blouses and dresses. Grandpa hammered crooked nails straight enough to use a second time. This work demonstrated tangible responsibility right before the eyes of their children. Their work was performed in front of the kids, who were required to help. They raised eight children and saw to their education through High School. As a result of the responsibility the children observed, each of the older children earned their college expenses and enough money to help the younger ones get their college studies underway and were worthy citizens of their communities.

Whew, makes me tired and my muscles ache to think about their hardworking life. But we have a large family who are thankful and happy for the industrious example of responsibility that was set before us. Now days, many of us do not live the agrarian life style which made it easy for the children to see right before their faces the need to do the chores in order to exist. Now days, we try to balance showing the need to work faithfully at our tasks with giving in compassion for those whose life situation makes it impossible to do a paying job. Somewhere in the mix some get the idea we don’t need to do the work to support ourselves, others can do it for us. Be careful to notice and be thankful for the example of industrious work that has come down in your family. Make sure to point out to the next generation what goes into your model of working with energy and faithfulness for your provision. Verbalize the reward of self-worth that comes when we accept and perform our responsibilities. God, help us be examples of industriousness. Help us teach the next generation the rewards of diligent use of time.