Built to Last

That moment when you sit down, look at the screen, and think . . . what in the world am I even going to post about? So, since Jess didn't think ahead of time and plan a post that would match up with the schedule, we're gonna go ahead and do a post on a completely different subject.

As of late, I've been listening to a lot of  country music. Most of the songs are alike, but every once in a while, a song stands out to me that I know I won't forget. The other day as the radio was playing, Built to Last came on. And as I listened to the lyrics, I had to pause. Because they made you think. And there aren't too many songs that do that.

Built to Last. What does that mean to you? If we're looking at buying tools or machinery, we want things that will stand the test of time. When we put our money into things, we want to be sure that it's worth it. That we're buying something that won't depreciate in value, or become useless in a year or so.
But at the same time, in other areas of our life . . . are we really making sure things are built to last?

We live in a world now of plastic and glue

Disposable honor, replaceable truth

If a part breaks, why fix it?

Man, what's the use

It costs less to buy it brand new

In the world we live in, we want everything fast. We want it now. And we don't want to be bothered with things that may require too much of our time or energy. Why put effort into something when you don't have to? Even truth is negotiable. Because if it hurts us, well, maybe we can twist it just a bit. We've become accustomed to a culture where things come easy. Generations before us literally put blood, sweat and tears into making their homes and earning a living for their families. Into making our country the land of the free and the home of the brave. They learned the value of work. They learned the truth that when you work hard at something and pour yourself into it, those things become so much more precious to you.
I'm sure you've heard someone say something along the lines of, "well, they just don't make things like they used to." And sometimes I wonder . . . is it that things aren't made like they're used to, or is it that we no longer expect things to made to last?

Here's to the makers of things built to last

The pledge of allegiance, the stars and the stripes

The words in the Bible, the sun in the sky

And here's to the twinkle in old married eyes

Still there after fifty years past

Here's to the makers of things built to last

There are some things that hold a value that can never be replaced. Never be forgotten. And so often, in all the "here and now" of life, we lose sight of those things that are designed to last. 

A country founded on biblical principals. 

A marriage where the couple is made one before God. 

The Holy Word of God. 

The traditions and family heritage that made us who we are today. 

And friends, these things don't come easily. Freedom must be kept and fought for by each generation. Marriage is designed to be forever, but it requires two people who are willing to work each and every day to put God first and their spouse second. And those generations past who have made us who we are today? Well, that requires willingness on our part to learn from those who have gone on before us. Sometimes, the old fashioned ways of doing things really are the best. 

In a world where so many things are focused on the here and now, let's take a moment to pause. Because those things will fade. Five years from now, most things that concern us today really won't matter. Lets put time and energy and work into the things that will last. Friendships. Relationships. Witnessing to others and sewing seeds that will reap in a harvest for all eternity. 

Not everything is built to last. But the things that are, they're worth investing time and energy into. 

Here's to the makers of things built to last

Like church bells and bridges, and baseball on grass

Like Ferguson tractors and Lucchese boots

My daddy's old tools I still use

Here's to the makers of things built to last