Just Jan

My friend, Diann, called to see if I had anything “70’s” that she could borrow to wear to an Oscar party a few months ago. I went upstairs to my cedar closet and start pulling out a dress, some tops, and sweaters that I have held on to. Then we started talking accessories so I opened a jewelry box that has things that belonged to my mother and grandmothers,

As I started to dig through the old jewelry box, some wonderful memories were brought to mind. This blue and green stone brooch (pronounced like broach) with matching earrings was given to my paternal grandmother one Christmas. My sister has the identical set that was given to our maternal grandmother as well. That set differed in colors being composed of magenta and pinks. (The blue brooch and earrings are in the lower left corner).

Both grandmothers wore this jewelry with pride to church on Sunday mornings. Once again I realized how blessed I was to have had two faithful Christian grandmothers who never missed a Sunday unless they were ill, Statistics show that 40 per cent of Americans attended church in the 1970’s. I count my blessings that my family was part of that. Sadly, weekly attendance fell to only 20 per cent in 2024. (If you find better percentages, comment and cheer me up!)

Perhaps, the Texas blue laws helped church attendance in those days, The laws called for department stores, liquor stores, and places of recreation to be closed on Sundays. Children never had a baseball, softball, or any type of sport scheduled on a Sunday. I remember how quiet and peaceful it was–similar to Christmas Day now but even quieter. My best friend and I once took our fishing poles down to a pond on a Sunday afternoon. I remember an older teenage girl walking by and admonishing us that ” we wouldn’t catch anything but the devil on a Sunday.” Maybe more of us were in church because there was nothing else to do?. Nothing to do but praise the Lord? Not a bad environment to be raised in.

However I do recall great television shows that aired on Sunday nights. Church services were mostly at 6 pm. That allowed time to get home and watch Ed Sullivan show at 8 pm. and Bonanza at 9. But attending Sunday church came first. I hope I never take for granted the blessings of a church family and the support and the friendships that are part of that. Most importantly, I have a loving God and Savior who promises me eternal Sundays in heaven. I should always hold in my heart that it is God’s command for us to worship Him. And we are the ones who benefit.

HEBREWS 10:24-25

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as. you see the Day approaching.