What's In Your Diary?

See those old diaries? They belonged to Marion Sheldon who was married to Guy, except that she always referred to him as "D" (maybe for Dear?) during the ten years which those diaries span. Guy owned a service station and also Guy's Little Gun Shop which he ran from their basement.

Marion and Guy married in 1937 and since the diaries cover the years 1944-1948 and 1954-1958, I assume they never had any children, for none are ever mentioned.

Eight years ago I bought those diaries at Marion's estate sale and I read through thousands of faded pencil entries (oh my poor eyes). What were most of the entries like? 

Saturday May 19th, 1945:  " Up 9:30. Lunch 2:00. Cleaned, washed, ironed.  Mowed in evening. "D" home 10:15. Bed 11:00."

Hmm... Hundreds and hundreds of those (hey, these only cost me $1 each, after all). But sometimes things got more exciting:

Tuesday May 20, 1946:  "Up 11:30. Rainy day. Painted. In evening "D" worked on truck. I went to cosmetic party at 'Tuts'. Home 12:30."

Heh.

Okay, to be fair, Marion did often go bowling and she speaks of shopping and sometimes seeing movies (wish she'd mentioned the titles) at the drive-in theater and visiting her mother and sister. Oh, and she and Guy did buy a house (the estate sale one) and Marion noted the details of the improvements they made. Also, for two months each year she and Guy went on the-most-boring-vacations-on-Planet-Earth. Don't ask me how or why they could be gone so long.

One huge thing happened on July 31st 1958, though.  Marion was 'hit by a tree' (her words), unconscious for ten days (!) and remained in the hospital over a month. Yikes! 

Anyway. Each time I begin rereading those "Up 10:00, shopped, "D" napped after dinner, radio, etc." entries, I start thinking, "Sigh. Dullsville." But then God reminds me that my diaries:

.... don't exactly read like Gone With The Wind. No, they're suspiciously like Marion's (although, I did put more soul into mine. You know, more feelings and beliefs).

Most of my days--probably most of everybody's days-- are average. Typical work, cook, clean, brush your teeth, watch tv, chat with your spouse, day-to-day ho-hum stuff--to some dispassionate soul reading over your shoulder, that is. 

But then I remember this verse:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."   ... Colossians 3:17

Ah, that's what makes life memorable. When we do everything because of our love for God, because we enjoy obeying and pleasing Him, well, it all turns into a sort of high adventure, one which gives our days meaning now and for a future life in Heaven.

Obedience matters. Counting it all joy matters, too. It's all important and time-worthy and a huge learning experience which enables us to live more deeply and gratefully as our years sail by. 

At least, that's what I believe.


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 ^"Therefore if any person is in Christ he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!"   ... 2 Corinthians 5:17

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In the mood to read a vintage diary online? Here's one for you.

Here's another.

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It matters. It's important. All of it.


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