Life Like It Was Yesterday

It hit me this morning.
I’m a grandma telling grandma stories, and that’s how this generation views me. The same way I viewed grandmothers when I was a teenager and young mom. The grandmothers who told stories of the Great Depression and how hard things were. The grandmothers who told me how easy I had it compared to their lives at my age. You know, the stories about walking 5 miles to school, up hill, in a snowstorm.
The stories we rolled our eyes over.


The crazy thing is, I don’t “feel” like those grandmas “looked”. Does that make sense? Because they looked old to me and I still FEEL young.


Life like it was yesterday. Every story.


*I would tell you about the day I was thrilled to move a tiny stove, and a refrigerator into our apartment. I would tell you the story of how we were able to purchase our first microwave. Our appliances didn’t match, but boy was I grateful. Who would’ve thought that one day God would give me new, matching appliances?
Yet, He did.
*I would tell you what a luxury it is to be able to go to a salon and get my hair done once a month. Except for the brief period that I was a redhead, if I wanted blonde hair when my kids were little I had to wait for a visit from my mom twice a year.
(We lived in another state).
*I would tell you how I have instant messaging from an iPhone and an Apple Watch instead of stories about the cost of long distance phone calls to family members that could only last 15 minutes and only be made on Saturday.
*I would tell the story of newlyweds and their first television set. Only one station and a crazy amount of static yet now I have a very large, “useless to God’s kingdom” TV with hundreds of channels.
*I have a washer and dryer that are actually in my home.
*A closet full of clothes and shoes and purses.
*A fireplace.
I used to dream of having a fireplace.


These are only a few things, the things this generation takes for granted. If I listed all the things God has blessed me with~ from running water and electricity to vehicles and vacations~
I could surely write a book.


We take so much for granted, and the more I thanked God this morning for the big things and the things that we probably don’t think twice about, the more I realized that. And I believe that’s why there is so much unhappiness, so much unrest, so much longing for more. I believe it’s the very reason so many are discouraged and depressed. They’re missing all the things around them that God has ALREADY blessed them with. Things that this grandma prayed for. Things that my God blessed me with. Things that I look back on and remember feeling guilty for even asking, but silly things God has provided to show me again and again how much He loves me.


And even though I remember occasionally wishing for matching appliances or a fireplace~ that’s not what stands out most in my mind. What stands out most is the joy, the happiness, a beautifully blessed life with my husband and children.


Our laughter despite our lack.


Perhaps the reason I did not feel like I was missing out or like life wasn’t fair was because everything was not there for the taking. I was brought to my knees each time God provided, because it was truly a little miracle in my life and not just a swipe of the credit card.


I encourage you today to stop and look around. Notice every single little thing and thank God for that. And in the thanking, realize how very much he loves you to bless you so abundantly. Maybe that’s why grandmas talk about how hard they had it when they were younger. With age comes wisdom and wisdom reminds us that it’s good to never ever take anything for granted. To continually be thankful. I don’t ever want to forget.


One day you will be a grandma like me telling your children and grandchildren all about your life and how much they take for granted. I hope that you can look back on today and smile, because today was the day you realized that you were blessed beyond measure.


Not just blessed because of the many things God has provided for you, but blessed in the breathtaking knowledge of His incredible love for you.


James 1:17
Matthew 7:11