At one time Made In America was no big deal, it was the deal. From cars
made in Detroit, to luggage made in the South, to linens and towels made in the
Carolinas, we had shoes made in New England and clothes made in the East.
Factories dotted the countryside of many small towns, some truly company towns
as one business dominated the economy there. Where my family was from in
Pennsylvania, the area was known for making ladies clothes. My Nana worked in
one her whole career, making blouses, being paid per piece, a piece maker, and
helped support her two girls. My Pappy away at war, heading up the Red Cross in
Alaska. During the Big War, WWII. The war we won. In their small town was a
toy factory that made plush animals, and at Christmas guess what we got many
times. Women would shop in local stores, no Wal-Marts yet, and buy clothes made
locally, maybe by a neighbor. Men shopped at Pritchard’s, women at Suzanne’s,
family clothes from Yeisley’s, and shoes from Oyer’s. They were businessmen and
neighbors, I remember one Sunday morning Mr. Oyer opening up his store on the
way to church because I needed a pair of Keds. During layoffs, if there were no
savings, the stores would help issuing credit, knowing once the mills started up
again the bills would get paid. No one skipped out on a bill, it would hurt
your neighbor, and he could also be family. No one wanted the reputation as a
dead beat. Churches made lunches, hot and fresh and delivered to the mills,
selling them at cost, a ministry. No salads or yogurt here, it was pasties, and
good sandwiches, protein was needed to fuel the body, and few got fat. Hard
work took care of that. Money came into the community from exporting goods, and
the economy though seasonal was dependable.
Mills would sponsor baseball teams, maybe donate cheerleader’s uniforms,
and make prom dresses at a reduced rate for the local girls. Construction
companies supplied flat bed trucks for the parade, the VFW or American Legion
rented out the halls, and many a family reunion was held at the Park. Also many
a romance, and many a summer spent at the pool. Though small, the towns were
self sufficient, they knew each other, and depended on each other. Some men
would work for a brother in law, most businesses were family owned, and when
needing a car, trade-ins would be resold as Mrs. Petchel’s sedan, or Bill
Fedon’s touring car. You probably knew the previous owner, and knew the car
too. This was America, we were Americans, and we led the world.
But something happened in the 70’s, the mills shut down, jobs left for
overseas, and communities once prosperous died. With no economy, where once
generations worked for the same company, young adults had to leave town to find
work. Soon the small businesses left, and the people with them. Business
wasn’t done on a handshake, as now strangers from the next town over, or next
county were shopping there. With no economy, the tax base eroded, streets
didn’t get repaired, and blight took over. For the ones who remained. Once
proud towns that could have been Anywhere, USA were now filled with people on
relief, with their checks cashed at the liquor stores, no bank accounts so no
reason to go to the bank. Company towns vanished, and pieceworkers like my Nana
either retired or stayed home. No money and no place to go. Churches became
empty, and along with that the morals went too. We had lost a self respect, and
so it was hard to respect others. I cannot imagine how my Nana felt the first
day she bought a blouse that wasn’t Made in America. That was shoddlily made,
that wore out too soon, who seams didn’t match. But did cost less. Where cost
was more important than quality, you cannot have both. We had lost more than an
economy or a small town, we had lost ourselves. We had lost our identity.
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall inherit the earth. Looking
around I see very little earth worth inheriting anymore. The piece makers of my
Nan’s generation were certainly blessed, but when robbed had to survive. Most
of the world today is in a survival mode. We just don’t know it. But
fortunately the earth Jesus promises to us is a new world. With new bodies, but
the same God as our forefathers. A good thing he never changes with the
economy, or social trends. Jesus is the same today, as yesterday, and can be
depended on to be the same tomorrow. The way we do business, from raw materials
to finished product may have changed, but he hasn’t. It is us who have changed,
and we need a change to Jesus if we are to make it. Times are tough, families
strained, but by the grace of God we go on. It is the tough times we remember
fondly when looking back, where testimonies began, and if not for God
intervening, disaster would strike. Persecution of believers, many falling away
from the church because it loses its power. But when God is head of that
church, history tells us something unusual happens. Consistently. The church
grows. It spreads out, taking the gospel to places if content it would not
have. Just like many piece makers were forced to move elsewhere to survive, the
church has taken the gospel out the same way. Blessed are those peace makers
who thrive in the adversity, who lean on Christ, and not the economy. Who in
tough times are rescued, and in good times are thankful.
No one likes to be fired, to lose their job. Their way of life. But God
is true to his word when he tells us “all things work together for those who
love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” Maybe that is why James
exhorts us to rejoice in hard times, because he knew God’s promise to be true.
And a blessing to us. If only we follow Jesus. The ultimate peace maker. Hard
times can tear us to pieces, only Jesus is the glue, the peace that holds us
together. The joy in the adversity, the hope of tomorrow, today.
We are not promised tomorrow, so enjoy today. Be all you can be in Christ,
and have fun. For what good is fun if you don’t enjoy it, and being a Christian
we should have the most fun. We have Jesus, we know the end, we just have to
get there. So many don’t have hope, it is our job to show Jesus in our lives
and give them hope. Loving them one person at a time, like piece work. And
being blessed. So truly blessed are the piece makers, and as we inherit the
earth to come, encourage someone to come with you. Share Jesus, it’s simple.
Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, visit those in jail , and those who
cannot get out. Welcome strangers. All the things we used to find in small
towns. Export love, import blessings, and let Jesus take care of the rest. A
lesson learned at church, but proven by my Nana and all the other piece makers.
Wake up America, it’s not too late....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com