One of the stunning developments that has occurred in the United States during the past 60 years, is a significant shift of its citizens away from our founding principles and values of God and the Bible.
Remembering the past, growing up in the 40s and 50s was a time where principles and values shaped our attitudes, actions, and decisions, and impacted our personal growth. Remembering these principles is not about living in the past, it is about cherishing the significance of the wisdom we have lost and its impact on America.
Respect served as the foundation for maintaining harmony and preventing conflict, guiding our interactions with others. Respect for our parents, family, elders, the personal beliefs of our neighbors, and authority were deeply ingrained in our values. Honoring and respecting others is profoundly rooted in biblical teachings, as illustrated in Romans 12:10. When we show respect to others, we acknowledge them which creates a sense of belonging and mutual respect fostering love for one another.
In the 1950s, Sunday family dinners where we all ate together was a cherished tradition. Dad required shirts and shoes on and hats off. It seemed silly then, but his rules had a purpose. It was more than about food, it was about bonding, unity, and belonging, sharing moments of concerns and accomplishments. The importance of gathering as a family cannot be overstated. It taught us that we are just a small part of something that is bigger and more important than self-satisfaction. Family unity, love, and purpose are special moments we should apply to our lives.
Parents passed down wisdom through sayings whose meaning we often came to appreciate only with time. “Waste not, want not” taught us the value of what we had, and if we did not waste the things we had we would always have what we needed. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” encouraged us to stay productively occupied and avoid trouble. Likewise, “You reap what you sow” emphasized personal responsibility and the consequences of our choices. An old Hebrew proverb: “He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him to seal,” reinforced these lessons by stressing the importance of equipping children with practical skills and strong work ethic.
We did not have social media, e-mail, cell phones for communication in the 50’s and 60’s, showing gratitude was so much different and personal. Handwritten notes, cards on special days, were common, illustrating thoughtfulness and sincere appreciation. A simple “thank you” acknowledges the effort and kindness of another person. It fosters better relationships and reminds us of the simple joy of appreciating others in a more personal way.
In the 1950s and 1960s, a handshake held the same weight as a signed contract. It was widely accepted that one’s word represented their bond, and to break it was inconceivable. We were instilled with the belief that a person’s word reflected integrity and trust that these values would stay with us for our lifetime. The bible teaches us this principle in Ecclesiastes 5:5 where it is “better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”
Traditional family has been lost to self-satisfaction of one’s moral values instead of honoring the biblical family. Marriage has given way to shacking up, the definition of life has changed from being a blessing and a gift from God to one’s desires. Biological gender at birth has been confused to where politicians and judges can not define a woman.
Equal opportunity is giving way to equal outcome which destroys our work ethic. Honoring our creator has been replaced with man’s greatness. All this leads to love being replaced with hatred, violence, confusion, and a nation in turmoil.
Examining the past to understand its effectiveness equips us with wisdom for the future. As we understand how America is wallowing in the evilness of the present, it is healthy and very necessary.
I cherish the wisdom of the past, which could still be relevant today. We are all part of the now.
Jim Coonrod is a retired Marine and active gardener. He lives in Collinsville.