Perceptions of a Generation

Tuesday's Thought (June 10, 2008)

When I was telling a Bible story this past Sunday to a group of 3-5 year-old children, I was reminded of how perceptions change with every generation.

Before telling about Ruth gathering grain to make bread (Ruth 2:1-23), I asked the kids if the people living in that time could buy bread from a grocery store. “Yes,” they said and nodded their heads in agreement.

Ummm, I thought, we’ve got to cover a few basics before beginning this story.

The group of 3-5 year olds couldn't imagine a time without grocery stores. And guess what? As a child, I couldn’t envision a world without cars and trucks. And today’s kids won’t be able to imagine life without computers and cell phones.

As grandparents, I think it’s important for us to help the next generation understand how the world has changed over the years … and is still changing. And that means helping our grands understand what the world was like for our grandparents, parents, and us—telling stories about our lives.

When my grandkids come over this week, I think I’ll hold up a loaf of bread and ask them if grocery stores have always existed.

You know, it might be fun to do something I haven’t done in years and years—get out my great-grandmother’s recipe for homemade bread and bake a few loaves.