I've never owned a cowboy hat, but I've heard that the more worn the hat is, the better it fits.
I've read that the traditional cowboy of the past spent time and effort creasing his hat and folding the brim just right. He took great pride in molding it to fit his head, and in time it softened and fit him perfectly. The scorching sun and pelting rain, sleet, and snow only added character to it. Because he spent hard-earned money purchasing his hat, it had to last a long time. Besides, along with with his boots and spurs, it was a prized possession. It became a part of who he was. Old and worn had nothing to do with its value!
In my life and yours, there are some things that could be described as "old and worn" yet are special to us. I thought of a few:
a favorite pair of old jeans
family pictures and old books
my old white Bible (which I dyed with black shoe dye!) that I read as a child
my falling-apart red leather Bible that I've used for years
old quilts made by family members and special friends
my daddy's old hair clippers
Mama's dishes and kerosene lamp
handmade cards and gifts from my two sons when they were small
my old white Bible (which I dyed with black shoe dye!) that I read as a child
my falling-apart red leather Bible that I've used for years
old quilts made by family members and special friends
my daddy's old hair clippers
Mama's dishes and kerosene lamp
handmade cards and gifts from my two sons when they were small
the hands of a hard-working man or woman who has never been afraid to get
his/her hands "dirty"
the face of a loved one whose well-lived life is reflected on his/her face . . . every wrinkle and crease adding character
. . . and the list could go on and on . . .
his/her hands "dirty"
the face of a loved one whose well-lived life is reflected on his/her face . . . every wrinkle and crease adding character
. . . and the list could go on and on . . .
And speaking of being worn . . . which of us hasn't felt just "worn out" at times? And as we age, we may be tempted to wonder if we're of much value anymore. But no matter our age, aren't you glad that God never sees us as worthless? God doesn't sort us out like we do old things; He doesn't have a "discard" or "throw away" pile!! The more years He gives us, the more time He has to mold us and shape us into His likeness.
And that's the ultimate treasure we have in these "earthen vessels" . . . even if they're old and worn - and some of them (us) with a few cracks!
And that's the ultimate treasure we have in these "earthen vessels" . . . even if they're old and worn - and some of them (us) with a few cracks!
O, how He loves you and me;
O, how He loves you and me . . .
O, how He loves you and me . . .
12 comments:
Yes, you are right. In fact, with most Christians, the older they get, the more they learn and the better they get, in trying to be like Christ. The cowboy hat story is interesting. But it makes sense. Old shoes always fit us much better than new ones, because they are molded to our feet and broken in.
In reading this post, I thought of my precious Grandmothers. Both were very old when God called them home. They had lost their physical beauty but they were very beautiful in their heart, soul and spirit! They were weathered and worn from a long hard life..a life which was spent helping out family and friends. Both of them had a profound effect on my life.
Love both your message and your pictures. I think it's a common feeling to feel less and we wear out and it's easy to get down on ourselves and be disappointed with our failing bodies. But I love your words. I need to remember how much I CAN do and how things really do get better with age. I am so much more comfortable with myself now than I was earlier. I loved Dorothy's comments about her grandmother. It just takes a little looking through the physical to see the worth. I guess that's what our Father in Heaven can do that takes us a little more work and practice.
Hi Glenda, There are so many things my my past and in my life which are WORN but LOVED.... I think of my favorite sweat shirt... I have several more --but there's one which I ADORE... I also think of my slippers... I have bought new pairs --but I always go back to the old, warn ones....
God wants us to stay with him forever... He will mold us into his likeness. We may be 'worn' on the outside---but we are filled with God's love on the inside.
Love that chorus: O how he loves you and me!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
how good it is to be ageless to the one who loves us so ...
What a reassuring post, Glenda! I enjoyed reading your "list" of worn and wonderful things. I'm extremely curious about you blackened your white Bible with shoe polish!
This set me thinking about all the worn things in MY surroundings. Right now, the biggest one is the worn floor, exposed after removing the carpet and linoleum in the kitchen/dining area! We're down to the worn wood and trying to figure out what to do with them :)
Beautiful post, Glenda. Sometimes the worn out things are the most useful of all. Carla
Yes, we do phycially wear out but God is forever new and each day we give to Him we find newness and strength. Great post
Sure glad that being worn doesn't make me worthless in my Creator's eyes, even though in society we may receive such messages, or we may possibly send them to ourselves when looking in the mirror! Love the cowboy hat story. Being worn means that we've been useful for a long time already - for if we weren't worn we'd be sitting brand new on the shelf.
It seems like as we get older, and more worn, we become more flexible, patient and wise. (At least I hope so!)
I loved the way you described cowboys and their hats.
What a great post...with a message that we need to hear more often!
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