Hearty Souls of the Great Depression
A friend just sent me these pictures of the Great Depression. I've seen many similar to this in history books. I've had older friends who lived through this era and they've described how tough it was. Notice the looks of despair. The empty house, probably the result of a defaulted loan. The worn-out vehicles. Families on the road hoping for an opportunity in the next town. Make-shift dwellings. A farmer or work-hand, still fortunate to be on the land (!), watering a field with a can. A young woman, perhaps wondering if her husband will find a job or her child will have another meal.
I hope and pray we NEVER see times like this again. But, I wonder if we did have such times, if our generation has the faith and resilience to survive it the way the generations of 1930s and 40s did? Do we have the work ethic? The ability to be content with little? Would we offer a prayer of thanks for a meal that consisted of only a boiled potato with no butter, sour cream or even salt?
As much as I hope and pray we NEVER see times like this again, I know from scripture and from the wisdom of the older people, that it is through such tough times that we learn to be content and thankful. Hard times can rejuvenate a work ethic in a people, and make them more resilent. Tough times can make us lean to the Father again.
Do I want such times? No. Do I live in fear of them? No. I trust that God will allow and even do whatever is necessary to shape the hearts of his people to be more like his. I just pray for such a heart to accept from God whatever comes and still pray in the spirit of David,
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord from
this time forth and forever more!
Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113)
Now, the pictures ...
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry ... When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in Spirit. (Psalm 34:15-18). Amen!
Warren Baldwin
(Note: You can still participate in the book give-away contest for a copy of Roaring Lions. Click here).
(Note: You can still participate in the book give-away contest for a copy of Roaring Lions. Click here).
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16 comments:
These are the stories our folks in the nursing home tell and the pictures, surprising that they have any, they show. Our first few immigrant years were tough for our folks too, but in comparison, we were rich in material goods! There was work, there was food, there was housing and 2nd hand clothing. But it is exactly as you say in your excellent post - we don't want these hard times, but they are the ones that shaped character and drew us closer to our heavenly Father. We are content and thankful! The things of this world don't have a hold on us - ok, well, maybe my laptop still does, lol!
Producing content and thankful hearts, indeed. They valued what was most important...their relationship with GOD and their family!
Great post!
Blessings,
andrea
Beautiful post Warren!
I wonder the same thing - often. Would this generation withstand a time of suffering and come out of it with deeper joy and peace?
How quickly many complain when they can't buy a thing they don't even need. When they can't get that cup of coffee at their favorite stop. When they can't afford more gifts under the tree that is already full with things to be forgotten in two days. When they find themselves sick and pray to be healed immediately rather than the grace to be sustained through it and the lessons needed to be learned along the way and the people they will touch that would never happen if healed immediately.
Pondering greater and deeper things with you!
Jill
Great pictures to show the way things truly were. Praying we aren't on our way again...
Those are very moving pictures. I agree Warren that trusting in God will always get us through. Faith is our rock.
Those are excellent points, Warren. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I want to be in the practice of being thankful and being helpful to others in need now.
Amazing Warren! Love the post. "It is through tough times that we learn to be thankful." You said it.
-H
Karin - character growth comes through struggle. That's probably why our grandparents had so much of it (character).
Andrea - that is right, God and each other is what ultimately matters.
Jill - I tend to be the same way myself. My generation (and not just the kids) is spoiled, too.
Diane - I'm praying that, too!
Septembermom - the pictures were moving, and I too pray for God's presence.
Terry - Thanks Terry, and so true about being thankful and helping others.
Heather - Wasn't even thinking of that as being a good quote. Thanks.
wb
It's not a coincidence that I had also posted about learning to be contented despite what's going on around us. Those are amazing pictures...and right now, as we are also going through these tough times, I just pray that we remain trusting in the One Who knows it all and Who promised to be there for us. God bless.
Hey there! Stopping by to visit and see what you've been up to!
Blessings,
Larie
Very impactful photos Warren. It reminds me of the classic "Grapes of Wrath".
Just looked at the pictures; we don't know how blessed we are most of the time. I'll have to come back and read your words later tonight.
I can't even imagine! It would be devastating not to know how I was going to feed my children. My time in prayer would definitely increase.
One of my favorite movies is Cinderella Man. I love how the family clung on to each other throughout their hardships.
These pictures are amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Yup, good words to boot!
I agre - I don't want to see those times, but a part of me also knows it would be good for us.
Warren,
My parents were part of that generation and it definitely shaped their outlook on life, mostly for the better. They had lived the old saying during Hoover's time:
It it up, wear it out
Make it do, do without.
I often heard them say this and never have forgotten it. My mother was always so thankful for every blessing - and I think that is an outgrowth of growing up in the depression. A terrific "reminder" post. - Marsha Y.
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