Sometimes, We Just Need a Real Perspective

My friend Vern Westgate sent this email out just before Christmas.  I found the pictures to be a fabulous glimpse of America’s not too distant past during the hardship of The Depression Era.  Really worth seeing.  It will open your eyes to how blessed we really are.

I thought Vern had a great idea in sharing this, and with his permission (thanks Vern), I am passing it on hoping you will get as much out of Vern’s perspective and the amazing pictures as I did.

America really does have an immense amount to be greatful for.

Thank You God!

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Hi, Here’s my perspective for you having a Merry Christmas in spite of the current state of our country…and the attacks against my Christian faith…(and your Christian faith too, I hope…)

These stark pictures are from the Depression. They were taken 72 years ago, when I was a 7 year old kid in a great Christian family…We moved from Minnesota to California a few months ahead of Pearl Harbor. So we went from the tough Depression life to rationing…(5 gallons of gas per week, sugar and meat were rationed as were other things), no new cars were built for 4, 5 years…millions of men went to war and most stayed until it was over. My dad built B-25s and P-51s…

60 years ago I spent Christmas freezing my butt off on an obscure mountain in Korea…and the Koreans were living in their own Depression-like existence due to the war’s devastation. They were almost all non-practicing Buddhists.

On those rare occasions when I paid attention), I saw the United States come out of the Depression, out of WW II, rebuild Europe and Asia including our former enemies in Germany, Japan, and Italy and move on to extraordinary things…like putting men on the moon…(I was lucky enough to work with some of the Apollo astronauts on a daily basis)…

I saw South Korea go from devastation in the 50s to a booming economy today…And it’s a strong Christian nation in stark contrast to North Korea…a non-Christian, socialist (progressive(?)) hell-on-earth nation.

When I saw progress, booming gains in economies, and far better chances for a good life, it was based in cultures (I’m referring to the West {U.S. and Europe)}and the East {Japan and Korea} that either practiced, respected, or at least tolerated Christianity.

Now we are seeing attacks on Christianity, the birth of Jesus, Son of God, and a general loss of opportunity, freedom, and tolerance…

But we don’t have to buy into that negativity.

This is the time of the year when I remember how much better all my Christmases are since that one on the Korean mountain 60 years ago.

So share this Christmas season and the coming year with me by knowing that Jesus was born in a crummy manger, in a crummy little town over 2,000 years ago and the world has never been the same since. The ‘truth’ lasts…the rest of this stuff will pass…

Those of us who know Jesus personally, know that in tough times and boom times, we are blessed by our faith in the truth that is the Christian life…and the hope of blessings here for now…and blessings beyond knowing for eternity…(‘Hope’ in Christian terms is an absolute guarantee by God.)

That’s the perspective I mentioned above.

This time of the year it’s all about Jesus…and the rest of the year as well.

Love, Vern

         Sure gives a guy the proper perspective, doesn’t it?

1935-1939 –  Pictures of the United States

AFTER YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURES READ THE NOTE AT THE VERY BOTTOM!

                                       WE  ALL NEED A REMINDER.

AND
WE THINK WE’VE  GOT IT BAD!

This
was a mere  72 years ago….

Makes complaining about no cell  service, high gasoline prices, not enough
cable channels,  seem a bit ludicrous.  No credit cards to buy
what  you want, but don’t need!

Forward this to remind our kids and others of what really tough times
are  like.

If you don’t know  what the Great Depression was, here’s the
motto:   “Use it up — wear it out”, make it do or do
without!!!!!

This
reminds me to be grateful for  what I do have…..Start each day with a
smile  and a prayer …

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Couldn’t have said it better.  May we never forget how blessed this country has been because it placed it’s trust in God.

By ~ Elizabeth Yalian 2014 ©http://hiseyeisonthissparrow.com.