THEY WORE JEANS
They wore jeans. Not like the fancy jeans with the gaudy stitching on the back pockets, or worse yet, the kind with shiny balls, chrome, or fake diamonds, in selected various art forms. I’m referring to back when working men, blue collar guys, wore jeans because they were durable and cheap.
Those were back in the days when there was no hiding your waist size with those types of jeans, least ways not until they got so worn out that the brown tag on the back right pocket got too faded to see the waist or inseam measurements.
There also would be no hiding your waist size with an untucked shirt, that was against the unwritten rules.
While those men didn’t have a lot, they had manners, got taught them along with the ten commandments. They also had combs, not the fancy ones of color that stuck out of the back pocket like a status symbol the way we did in the seventies. We wore the same jeans, but had a different outlook.
No, their combs were your basic black comb that could fit and hide with reverence in the back pocket of the blue jeans that ended up closer to the blue color of a sky and fading to white with age and holes. Their combs weren’t for vanity, they were meant for respect, to look presentable if the occasion called for it.
It was commonplace to see an aging pair of jeans get a remodel, the knees usually would get a rebuild out of an iron or sewed on patch. Money was tight, but the people I’m trying to describe had pride, not in their possessions or their clothes, they had pride in character.
Those folks valued honor above money or anything money couldn’t buy, they knew money couldn’t buy anything with real value. Value couldn’t be counted or calculated by a generation that didn’t worship idols.
If that generation did have a fault, it would have to be the fact that they wanted more for their loved ones. They worked like mules, traded blood, sweat, and tears to be able to provide a lifestyle that they didn’t have. To give us a world better than the world they’d inherited.
Of course, they succeeded. Who could have stopped them? Who on God’s green earth would have had the guts to try?
The majority of us got things that our parents didn’t, maybe it wasn’t much, but it was more than what the generation of honor had. Maybe part of the fault by our parent’s generation of marching into the unknown was that they assumed the next generation would cherish the same moral principles as well as the ones that led to honor.
That generation knew the words of Christ to be true, “Tis better to give than to receive.” They just didn’t know that too much giving kills the spirit that we’re designed with.
The best things I got from the man that wore jeans, the man I called “Dad”, were the things he never gave me, the things he couldn’t. The things he did give, I didn’t want, they cost me something that had to be paid from within… I had no way of knowing they were the greatest of gifts a man can give a son.
The things I once dreaded and avoided are the most cherished of gifts… along with the memories of the generation that wore jeans…
Lincoln Parks
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 @ 10:24 pm
Things today have changed so much Floyd. It was simpler years ago and straight to the point like you say. What we know is that every generation that passes through passes something of value onto the next. I hope that we can be the Generation that passes more God onto the next with everyone having so much accessibility with their platforms like this great Blog.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Great point and goal, Lincoln. It’s amazing what living a life marked by the character traits that honor our Father can do for the next generation. Love that perspective, my friend. Thanks!
Bill (cycelguy)
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 2:39 am
The man who had the greatest influence upon my life was a welder in the steel mill in Duquesne, PA. He was my grandfather. he worked the night shift so I never really saw what he wore. I do know he wore integrity, honesty, hard work, and a genuine love for the Father. I would wear his pants any day.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:33 pm
Awe man. What a tribute to a man who left a legacy and far more riches than all the money in the world could ever come close to. It’s not a perfect life, but we have all been blessed. It takes wisdom to see them… thanks for sharing yours here, Bill.
Thomas Mason
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 8:08 am
My parents, namely, my mother would provide to me allthat she didn’t have but without “spoiling” me. I inherited her strong work ethic. I fear the present generation expects more entitlement rather than something that has to be earned.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
I hear you, Thomas. The best things we ever get in this life, in the way of object character lessons, is those that we’re taught to earn… “Teach a man to fish” kind of thing. You are blessed, brother. Thanks for sharing that, Thomas.
Chuck Allen
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 12:02 pm
I’ve known a few of those people. My dad still can’t understand why someone would choose to wear faded jeans- and especially not buy them already faded.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
You gotta love a person that looks at things with such common sense! He’s right! Buy stuff that costs more, is already on it’s way to being worn out, and will be useless sooner… I can’t argue with your dad! I blame my wife for those jeans of mine that are partially worn for fashion sake… Thanks, Chuck!
Lisa notes
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:20 pm
It is kind of ironic that sometimes the most giving parents can have the most selfish kids. 🙁 Thankfully, not always though; just sometimes. There’s something to be said for being giving but still teaching people to take care of themselves. Sounds like your dad got that balance right.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:39 pm
Boy, that’s a sad truth, Lisa. I’m not sure my dad had much in the way of balance. There was a time when we had only the bare essentials, but our character based on Biblical principles was never up for compromise. I have no idea how my siblings and I would have come out otherwise. God knew exactly what we needed, that’s for sure. Thanks, Lisa.
Betty Jo
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:23 pm
Floyd you just described my father to a T! Even my hubby carried the little black comb until the day he died five years ago. Since my hubby had to dress for work, he couldn’t wear the jeans, but he changed into them as soon as possible. One thing they both had, and passed onto their children, was an incredible work ethic. Something I see less of these days, except in a few, and my own son, a chip off the old block. Interestingly enough, as I look back, we didn’t do a lot of talking to him about work ethics, manners, respecting others, loving the Lord, and caring for his family; he simply observed his dad and me, and a few other adults in his life, and caught on.
Floyd
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @ 5:41 pm
That is so awesome, Betty Jo! You just nailed it! It’s never about what we say, it’s our lives speaking volumes for us! That’s as good as it gets for all involved! It’s an honorable race your running, sister. Keep up the good work! It’s great to hear from you and I so appreciate this testimony!
Ceil
Friday, July 18, 2014 @ 10:20 am
Hi Floyd! My Dad was a tireless worker too. He tells the story of my brother saying to him one day, “You look tired today Dad.” My Dad thought that was funny because he was tired every day!
Being dedicated to work and a goal of leaving the family with a good work ethic is something that might be getting lost today. I think people wish for “You might be a winner” or a huge inheritance. Most of us are not going to see that. We need to lean on the example of our elders of hard work, and the grace of family. I can only pray that we all have those examples. And that we can be that example to our kids too.
Blessings,
Ceil
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
I’m with you completely, Ceil. Even when the world was perfect Adam was blessed to work the garden. Too many people miss that lesson and the gratification that comes with being productive the way God designed us to be. Thanks, Ceil.
Jennifer Dougan
Friday, July 18, 2014 @ 11:00 am
I remember those jeans and those combs. My grandpa had one too. 🙂
Re your comment on my post “Why Community is Worth It…” So true, Floyd, that we have joy when we are living in his ways.
Have a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer Dougan
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 10:37 am
Re your comment to my post “Kindle Instant Intimacy…” Floyd,
“The best gifts that are so close to us…” yep, and easy to take for granted. I’m working at that too.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:32 pm
Me too, sister. Yours was a timely post. Thanks.
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:01 pm
You come from good stock, Jennifer! But I know you already knew that! Blessings to you, sister.
Hazel Moon
Friday, July 18, 2014 @ 11:30 am
My dad wore those jeans too. My hubby Robert wore work jeans and not the fancy ones either. Some things are better showed than told, like examples and work ethic.
Years ago when our girls were in high school, all the girls began to wear jeans instead of dresses. The thought was jeans are cheap and some girls can’t afford nice dresses or skirts and blouses for school. Well, you know what happened – – the jean manufactures began to advertise designer jeans that cost a lot more than a simple dress. I told our girls, sorry, but you get to wear dresses or skirts. Perhaps I should have allowed them to conform to the latest fashion, but I was very strict in those days.
I agree with the older generation who wonder why these kids purchase jeans with ready made holes and patches. This is an excellent post and will appear at “Tell Me a Story” on Tuesday. Thanks for speaking out!
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:03 pm
The fact that you were strong enough not to be swayed by the changing fads is what helped make your kids strong! Good for you, Hazel! And I’m always honored to share my posts on your wonderful site!
Betty Draper
Friday, July 18, 2014 @ 11:39 am
I read your post to my hubby and he chuckled because he is still a jean and small black comb in his back pocket man. He does not or did then wear those rough and tough jean to make a statement, it was practical. I do remember the first time I bought my first pair of men Levi’s, then was brave enough to wear them out in public, talk about a rebel. Girls zippers were always on the side, never in front. So I guess I was the one trying to make a statement…the start of women’s lib maybe??? Thanks God our son has inherited his father work ethic…and jeans and black comb in the back pocket. Observation is a great teacher and makes us responsible for our actions. This was a fun post brother, I have a vision in my head of my husband of how he looked when I first met him, Levi’s, white t-shirt tuck in his jean with the sleeves rolled up. Loved him in his jean then and still love it when he wears them.
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:25 pm
This is such a heart warming statement, Betty! Ace is my kind of guy and the fact that you admire him still is a tribute to the both of you. Observation is the best teacher, was for me too. What a blessing for your family. Thanks, Betty.
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Saturday, July 19, 2014 @ 10:16 am
Wow. You are killing me over here! Everything is bringing a tear to my eyes these days. My Sweetheart doesn’t carry a comb anymore…he doesn’t need one! Not much there to comb, he just runs his hand over what little there is and smooths it out a bit. But he is the one I think of when I read a story like this. He is my hero even though he isn’t as old as “that generation”. But what a great story, loved it!
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:28 pm
How wonderful that you still respect and admire the man God chose for you so many years ago. What a blessing it was for your children to see that love and respect from you and visa-versa. People that work hard and live their lives with honor are my heroes too, Nannette. Thanks, sister.
June
Saturday, July 19, 2014 @ 8:04 pm
A well-spoken tribute to an all-but-lost generation, Floyd. They worked hard to make America great, it’s sad to see what the subsequent generations are doing to squander what your dad’s generation helped build. I’m thankful to know that in the end, all wrongs will be made right and the hearts of those, like your dad, will be justified. I’m thankful, too, that your perspective changed and you learned to value the Greatest Gift of All.
Floyd
Sunday, July 20, 2014 @ 4:29 pm
Well said and wonderful perspective, June. You have a way of brining wisdom into all matters. That too is a gift, one that comes from Above and I’m guessing passed down through your family that had the same type of character traits. God is good. Thanks, June.
Cheryl Smith
Monday, July 21, 2014 @ 6:27 pm
Beautiful, beautiful words and memories of “those good, old days, when times were bad”, to put it in Dolly Parton’s words. I know exactly what you mean. If only THIS upcoming generation could sample just a taste of the devotion and work ethic of that era. Most young people in our country have adapted the “entitlement” mindset and think the world owes them everything. It is a sad thing to see for those of us who remember the way it used to be. Thanks for your reminder and the encouragement you provide here. God bless you.
Floyd
Monday, July 21, 2014 @ 8:11 pm
Well said, Cheryl. I agree completely. Most often less is indeed more… a hard thing for our fallen nature to grasp, but we’re seeking! Thanks, sister, God bless you and yours as well.
Micah
Wednesday, July 23, 2014 @ 1:24 am
‘they had pride in character.’
On that one line the whole world has turned. Imagine a society that was like that. Where people had pride, not in possessions, or wealth, or what car they drive, or how big the house they own is, or how many women they’ve bedded, or how popular they are or who they know – but in character. I’ll be honest, Floyd, that line made me sad. Because I could only just imagine what a culture like that would be like… I wish it wasn’t so hard to imagine as it sometimes is. And I wish I wasn’t so prone myself to forgetting what to pride and give attention to.
Floyd
Wednesday, July 23, 2014 @ 7:19 pm
I appreciate your wisdom and gift to bring out the aspects in a subject. It made me a little sad too, but we have the opportunity to change us with the power of the One that lives within us. I suspect this is the very things we’re called to do, brother. Thanks for your insights, as always, they carry much weight.
Joanne Norton
Thursday, July 24, 2014 @ 3:45 pm
As usual, you pointed things out re: the world and re: the Word. In spite of everything, BTW, I’ve been a jeans person since I was about 3 or 4, which was so long ago most girls didn’t do that. Since I ain’t a young ‘un, I’ll continue wearing them most of the time. BUT they ARE different in our present-day world than 65 years ago when my parents, family, etc., had them. They weren’t fancy. But GOD was, and He broke through that then, and does it now, too. He’s what we can count on.
Bless you, Floyd. You’re always sharing good sides of the Lord and spreading it around the world.
Floyd
Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 10:57 am
I like your style, Joanne! You have the strength to march to the beat of your own drum, that’s a gift from God. Blessings to you too, sister. Good call, He is the Alpha and Omega… Thanks for the reminder.