Ah, the sock drawer. I’m digging through it as some of my no-show and low cut socks in fun colors have gotten separated and realize that I have several random socks in there without matches: I should really get on that. Where do socks go when they’re lost? How does that even happen? Lost Socks I mean? Especially for just Mike and I. I’m a stickler about keeping my socks together, Mike is not. Yet, I’m the one with more rogue socks. Is it because they’re smaller and different shapes and sizes where his are pretty much all the same? And his are easier, too, because of the brand stitching on the toe. Foolproof. But nooo, I’ve gotta have all different colors and lengths, and whatever happened to my beige pair with the pink argyle? I need some cute socks to go with boots for Fall this year, if it ever cools down enough for fall attire. 🙏
I’m determined to conclude my search with the matching pair of blue socks I planned to wear today. Growing up, my socks had to match. Not only each other, but my outfit. It was very serious in my house to wear matching socks – a house of 5 children ranging over a 12 year age gap no less. By the time I was in high school there were a few people who wore mismatched socks to school and it blew my mind. Aren’t your parents mad? How is that not bugging you? It was unfathomable. How could they do such a thing? It kind of made me mad actually. The rule-breaking of it all. Mismatched and consequence-free.
Did I find those matching blue socks? Yes or no?Darn those millennials and their mismatched socks. It’s madness, I tell you, madness! Total anarchy. Actually, kids these days – so Gen Z’ers, I guess – can even buy socks that are purposely designed not to match. They come in packs and you can mix them. 🤯 True story.
I don’t think I could ever wear mismatched socks of different lengths or materials, but nowadays it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they were the same sock in different colors as long as I’m wearing pants and can’t see them. 😂😂😂 But you know what I love? (Aside from healing from anxiety and all these little neurotic tendencies that used to be such a huge deal for me. They are many.)
I love that I have come to the place where I understand the world is not going to end over mismatched socks. It never would have ended before either, but I certainly didn’t know it. That’s it! The younger generation and maybe even mine has figured it out! The world won’t end if our socks don’t match! But it took a few of us to try it out first to make that harrowing discovery!
And I LOVE THAT about these younger generations! We’re challenging the status quo. We’re asking the question: just because it’s always done this way, should it be? Why? Is there a better way? What’s our reasoning and motivation for doing something a particular way? It took me long enough, but I get it!
The device you are reading this on exists because someone decided there was a better way of writing and the typewriter eventually gave way to a personal computer which gave way to a the smart phone and all of the wonderful and progressive inventions in between. We enjoy those don’t we?
One time I got straight out asked if I am a millennial by a stranger I’d met only minutes prior. Why? Because I asked to pay her using pay pal. Why does using pay pal make me a millennial? And why did I feel a minute amount of defensiveness at the question? Yes, I’m a millennial. Your point? (She was a very sweet lady, by the way. This is in no way a reflection on her.)
Let me get this straight, though, because I get ragged on a lot over being born in this age group. The older generations paved the way for these inventions. Isn’t the goal of most parents to provide a better life for their children than the one they had? From their faith journey down to their mode of transportation. But then when we take advantage of the road that was paved for us, it give others permission to mock us for it? When did an entire generation of people become something we can roll our eyes at?
The world may roll its eyes at us but it certainly doesn’t have qualms about taking our money, as we’re the most marketed to generation in history.
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By the way, do you know who sends me money through pay pal more than any age group? Gen Xers. Does it matter to me? No. I’m still getting paid. I only know that because of the sweet lady’s curious question.
Gosh, I could go on and on with stories of things that have been said to me about “my generation.”
Another example is Church, the organization. For The Greatest Generation and even Babyboomers, church looked like the place where you wore your best clothes, acted on your best behavior, sang hymnal songs that ironically at some point were written into existence by some one creative, and sat still and calm in your pew for the preaching about right living.
That’s not real. It wasn’t real back then and it’s not real now. It’s all a show, so why should we continue to carry on that way? It’s fine if you like a different type of music, but drums in church is not a sin and neither are jeans. The point is authenticity. The point is love. The point is Jesus. And did you know that our bodies are musically designed – wind, string, and percussion instruments?
Listen, mismatched socks aren’t going to kill us anymore than using a more convenient method of payment or communication, like texting. The decisions of the generations before us have paved the way for how we do things, and then we’re criticized for living in the environment that was created for us. How does that work exactly? And no amount of conformity to this world ever made it better.
Progress comes from those willing to challenge what’s always been done to see if there’s a better way. Henry Ford, The Wright Bros, Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, Sacagawea, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., Marie Curie, Mary Kay Ash, Leonardo DaVinci, Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, and the list goes on … all challenged the Status Quo and made our world a better place. If we aren’t moving forward, we’re moving backward.
We’re dreamers! And that’s a good thing! So what if our socks don’t match!
God, thank you for this generation I was born into. Life is always changing, always progressing. Thank You for the dreamers and the doers. Thank You for all the people who came before us and challenged the status quo. Father, Your Word teaches us that we are not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. You encourage us to think new thoughts, to ask questions. You gave us curiosity and imagination. Thank You for such wonder and such beauty. Thank You for causing that Apple to fall on the head of Sir Newton. Thank You for inspiring Archimedes to take a bath. Over 5k years ago, You inspired someone to invent the wheel. I marvel at Your creation – people. The best thing You’ve ever created. Help me to love them and see them as You do, Lord. Help us all, Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.
LiveALIVE Today!
Cindy
PS. Look Up Crazy Youngsters by Esther Dean
Live A.L.I.V.E. 