Comments on: The Puritans on Unemployment

By: Nichole

Nichole — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:12:46 +0000

Thank you so much for this timely piece. Despite what the economy is or is not doing at this time, let’s be thankful this Thanksgiving that God gave us the mind, spirit, and wherewithal to make our own luck.

By: Tim Ritchie

Tim Ritchie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:42 +0000

Terrific piece in the WSJ. Thanks. I’m going to use elements of this piece to encourage our front line workers to put everything they have into their jobs. It is easy to go through the motions, and difficult to summon enough love of others, and pride in work, to keep on keeping on. I also have teenage kids, and we’ll read this together. Well done!
Tim
Birmingham, Alabama

By: Fleming Rutledge

Fleming Rutledge — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:15:14 +0000

Your WSJ piece on Nov. 20 about the much-misunderstood, much-maligned Puritans was splendid, and so welcome.
Perhaps it wasn’t necessary in such a short space, but a word about the intellectual contributions of the Puritans might have filled out the picture a bit more. The great Perry Miller has taught us so much about this.

By: Bryan Ruth

Bryan Ruth — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:24:14 +0000

Hello Wholemama,
I was pleased to find this at the end of my reading time in the Wall Street Journal. Thank you for a right view of work and life. This was encouraging as it should be for all who read it, and a great reminder to start Thanksgiving to.

Grace and peace,

Bryan

By: Marie Q. Flanigan

Marie Q. Flanigan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:18:11 +0000

Hi Amy,

This is such an encouraging reminder of the goodness of making practical application of our Christian faith! Thank you!

If anyone wants visual confirmation that what you write describing the kind of people our Puritan forebears were (way different from the Victorian caricatures), you only need to visit the house to which Paul Revere rode in Lexington, MA. It was the home of a Puritan pastor and his family, and Samuel Adams (target of a redcoat search, for his fomenting of the Boston Teaparty) was visiting there. I visited, and paid for the tour, in 1992. Ushered into the sparsely-furnished parlor, the docent drew our attention to the portrait of the pastor’s wife: a very well-endowed lady, dressed to “display her charms”. The docent made a tasteless joke along the lines: does that look like a Puritan pastor’s wife, or Dolly Parton?!?! Most of the group chortled. I piped up, “Yes, indeed it does! The Puritans absolutely believed that God is involved in every detail of believers’ lives, and that evry good gift is reason to thank and praise Him.”

I have to admit, I’m an Art History major, and I believe that art expresses where the artist and his/her contemporaries believed that goodness resides. I hope you and your readers have the opportunity to visit Lexington, see this painting, and be encouraged in the goodness of our LORD, and the riches of our Christian faith.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Walt Davison

Walt Davison — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:36:58 +0000

Hi Whole Mama,

Here’s some feedback for you re: “the Puritans on Unemployment,” WSJ, Nov, 20, 2009.

If I were nearby, and if it was permissible, I’d give you a hug. But since I’m not nearby, I hope you will simply accept “Good job, Whiole Mama.” That was a fine piece of writing.

I wish you the best with your (did you say 6?) kids. They’ve got a great chance to turn out really well.

Walt Davison
Dayton, Ohio

By: John M. Klaassen

John M. Klaassen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:36:15 +0000

Amy, it’s fabulous! Props to you for hitting me right on the head with a 2×4. (We’ve talked briefly about work and not thinking a particular vocation to be “worthy” of so much effort.) And props to Em for keeping all of us in the loop on FB. Now I can subscribe and try this RSS thing. Keep up the excellent work!

By: Jennifer Dooley

Jennifer Dooley — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:10:38 +0000

I read your article in the WSJ today and looked you up! Well done…..loved the piece. Glad to find it there, too.

By: pauline timmer

pauline timmer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:59:42 +0000

Dear Amy Henry,
I just read your IdleHands: in the Wall Street Journal, the most wholesome content in some time in the WSJ, clearly stated, and compensating for today’s bad news about the Muslim march in London blatantly asking for death to anyone who insults Islam. I pray that many will follow up on your article and find a godly purpose in the midst of their troubles.
By the way, the last paragraph, rather than reading “More than just an annual turkey fest, the Puritans…” would better read “More than just an annual turkey fest, a pedagogy of work and an attitude …his value are additional gifts from the Puritans to America”.
I will pass your blog on to my three daughters.
God bless.
Pauline Timmer

By: Liz Barosko

Liz Barosko — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:34:40 +0000

Just read your piece in the WSJ – excellent! My husband is currently unemployed and we work mightily at keeping a Godly perspective! Thank you Lord for the blessings you deliver on a daily basis and thank you Lord for Ms. Henry’s article; may many people read it and be blessed! Thank you!