Skills to Last a Lifetime

Here’s another one of my “back-in-the-day” posts. Please forgive my musings but I roll with what I believe are God’s bright ideas. This one came from my post yesterday when I mentioned the recipes I learned in Home Ec. A rush of memories flooded my mind. Those of us of a certain age (ahem) may remember a time period (or at least hearing about a time period) when high-school girls took home economics class, and high-school boys took shop. Men were going to grow up and work on their own cars or home repairs, while women would become homemakers and take care of their families. I must say that shop for my “high school” boyfriend and home ec for me served us well the rest of our married life.

I learned some great cooking techniques, recipes, table place-setting, measurements, basics of sewing, and washing and ironing techniques in those classes. Thankfully, for my young husband, I had a few “tools in my toolbox” that gave him some decent meals and awarded me the title of “World’s Best Cook” (love AND a hungry man may be blind). I could sew buttons on, hem slacks, take in some shirts, set a table with putting the silverware where it belonged and could wash clothes without turning everything pink. And, thankfully, for me, my young husband learned so many “tricks of the trade” that he became known as “Mr. Fix-it” man. He could repair any and everything.

If my granddaughter, Alexia, had been afforded the opportunity to have Home Ec classes, I don't think she would have taken them. She’s one of those “I’m going to marry a man that can cook!" But, I’m proud to say, “She loves to sew!” She finds inexpensive, second hand clothes and reworks them into some adorable outfits.” I bought her first sewing machine. I stopped sewing until my Alexia came along, and I picked up where I left off. I carefully made the christening gown pictured here and it represents the love I had and have for her when I see it displayed in their home. Most importantly, it represents the day that her Mom and Dad presented her to God and her church family, like Jesus was presented to God in the temple by His Mom and Dad.

Back to home ec and shop – those classes were a common part of our high school curriculum. Isn’t the whole purpose of school to provide children with life skills and knowledge that will benefit them….long term? I don’t know that I have used what I learned in chemistry, geometry and geography that much – but I sure appreciate what I learned in home economics and vocation office education (VOE). VOE was the in-school office training – filing, typing, shorthand, and general office skills – that opened the door for my first clerical job during my Senior year. I still use those skills today – even as I type this blog, do my monthly bookkeeping, filing and other administrative skills. Real life skills and knowledge. I’m truly grateful for what I learned in those classes. They have served me well.

And, as skillful as I became in doing life as a wife and mother in those early years, nothing prepared me for life more than my attentiveness to what I learned from God’s Word and women and men of faith. That training has equipped me for untold surprises, ups and downs of life, overcoming tremendous challenges and living in peace in the midst of some very tumultuous storms. I learned from faith-filled role models how to pray for my sick babies and stand on God’s promises for their lives and future. I became well-acquainted with being an encourager to my husband when he was down and even found the self-confidence to pray out loud for him, my babies and others. I learned those skills that still give me the bold courage to speak up and out for God as His devoted follower. But mostly, I am still in life skills training and daily I stay close to our Master Instructor Who seems to teach me something new each day about trusting, obeying, living in peace and joy, and most of all LOVE -- those skills that last a lifetime.

Do You Remember Your First Job?

I know you remember your first job. We all do. It was a pivotal time in our lives. I’ll never forget mine. I had signed up for Vocational Office Education (VOE) at my high school, which means I would gain enough office knowledge and skills to get my first job. I had learned to type, take shorthand, know how to file and other office procedures. My high school found me my first job at Sylvania Electric Company as a file clerk – at a whopping $1.25 an hour. In that company, I not only found out what stepping out of my comfort zone was, but I also learned valuable relationship interaction and great job skills that opened the door to my next job that gave me on-the-job training to be their Accounts Receivable Bookkeeper. The first job paved the way for my future in administration in many various locations in the U.S. and Canada, and even in owning our own businesses.

I had that “blast from the past” when, yesterday, I picked up my granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, from her interview at Chick-fil-A for her first job. I was on my way to pick her up when I got her text “I got the job!” She was beaming when she came bouncing to my car. I know that feeling – that sense of worth and value AND accomplishment. She turns 16 on the 16th of this month, so this is a big deal that paves the way and sets the course for taking "next steps" the rest of her life.

I couldn’t help but be so grateful that she is starting with a company, Chick-Fil-A, that has refused to compromise their Christian principles. By survey, Chick-fil-A is America’s favorite fast food restaurant, and it's obvious when I drive by the one right near my house with car lines that go around the building. Some would say it's the food. Others would point to its clever advertising. (Let's face it, there is something appealing about seeing a cow beg you to "Eat Mor Chikin.") But, Founder Truett Cathy had a different view. He declared that the secret of his success was the company's high quality of people and their attention to customer service. I have to agree. There’s something about those kids who work there and how they respond to our “Thank you” with “My pleasure”.

Truett said it all goes back to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays. Truett, who passed away in 2014, believed everyone should have a day off a week -- for church, rest, or to enjoy family. Dan Cathy, President and COO of the company now (Dave passed away in 2014), says, "Jesus Christ did not die for a company, He died for individuals, personally." The company wants to operate on Biblical principles and acknowledge the Lord in all ways.

I love the perks that Alexia will have with her new job. She’ll be learning responsibility, teamwork, leadership and management skills. She’ll start building her resume for her next step up the ladder. She’ll be off every Sunday – that’s huge for a gal that is on a Worship Team at her church, and that’s her passion and desire for her future. She loves the food – just about any meal, she’d be happy if you’d choose Chick-Fil-A. She'll get 20% off for Nana's meals (bonus for Nana). She already has friends that work there and she’ll develop even more friendships. (I can relate. I met my future “bridesmaid” at my first job.)

When asked by the Manager, “Alexia, what do you hope to do in the future?” She replied, “I hope to be a Worship Pastor at my church. Missions and helping people is my heart.” The Manager said, “Congratulations! Welcome to the Team! We’ll contact you about getting your uniform and training. You can start next week!”

Practicing Christianity inside the walls of the church is one thing. In fact, it's probably the easiest place to act "Christ-like." Practicing Christianity in the secular workplace is an altogether different thing. I love that my girl’s first job is with a company that has refused to compromise their Christian principles, regardless of what the world says.

"Seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33

And to celebrate, of course my girl and I had to go shopping, after all “Nana, I ALWAYS get a winter sweater during September! It’s my birthday month!” Such is life with Lexi!