Had to post a picture of the beautiful roses Ron gave me for Valentine's day. They looked so pretty this morning, especially with the sunlight coming thru the lace curtains, and set against my antique china with pink roses in the backround. These roses also represent to me, the grace that has been shown in my marriage as well as God's gentle correction in that area...but that's a post for another time!
God has been doing such a work in me! His patience with me continues to amaze me....years ago, when I was a new Christian, God basically showed me His plan for our family's lifestyle. How He wanted us to live, what our homeschool plan should look like....and somehow, over the years...I've taken my focus off of "His" plan for our family....and either focused on what I thought our lives should look like or I compared our family to other families that we know...again, taking my focus off of His plan for us.
I've been feeling God's prompting strongly lately...to simplify. But, in reality, it is to repent and turn to God...to return to God's plan for us...to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you"....to seek Him, and follow his commands....not ignore them, and do what I want to do. A friend and I were recently talking about God's rebukes, and for me, it was confirmation that what I was doing was grieving God's heart. He had called us to live simply and be content...and with our focus off of His plan, we were filled with discontent and a lack of gratitude to God.
I can't speak for any other family, nor do I want to. But for us...God's plan has always led us to simplify...to move further and further from what the world thinks is important...to live simply, to live in a God honoring way. Do we always do that? Of course not! Living simply means different things for each family. Again, I only know what God has been speaking for our family. For us it means, no big vacations, no shopping at trending stores at the mall...no Starbucks everyday. (ok...Starbucks every long once in a while!) It means watching our pennies closely, saving as much as we can, being 'creatively frugal'...living simply. In order for our family to live the lifestyle that God has called us to live, a simple homeschooling lifestyle, this requires me to stay at home and have us to have one income. And...since that income is not huge....we have to choose wisely how to spend it. Would vacations be nice? Of course! Can we live without them? Of course! Can we thrive without them? Yes! If we cultivate a spirit of gratefulness....and contentedness....and practice the habit of being content with whatever God has for us. If day trips to lakes, fishing, trips to Kennywood or Idlewild Park, to Mingo Creek, or the Science Center,, a day at the Butler county fair, a day spent antiquing...or sipping sweet tea on our deck in the shade while the little ones play in a small pool is God's plan for our family...then we are abundantly blessed!!!! It might not sound exciting by the worlds standards, but it is peaceful, fun and filled with family memories...and it is God's will for us...therefore, it is God's best for us!
As we continue to follow God's plan for our family, I'm sure I'll be posting all the little joys of our days...some of which you may not think of as joys...but whatever God's calls us to, He equips us for. For me....hanging laundry on the line is a joy...especially taking it down...warm, sweet outdoor smell. That brings me joy! Crocheting with a wooden hook with some soft warm wool or super soft yarn brings me joy. Beautiful fabric, especially using scraps to quilt or make gifts, brings me joy! Giving my family a hot, healthy homecooked meal brings me joy...and offering hospitality to family and friends brings me joy. Having my children's friends here for a fun evening brings me joy! I don't need frills, expensive vacations, expensive clothes or filet mignon (although I do like filet mignon!)....I'm just as happy at my big wooden table with a big bowl of navy beans and my family happy.
Whatever God has for your family...embrace it! Cultivate contentment...and practice gratitude! Living the life that God has for you is different for each family....for our family, we will continue to simplify and find joy in the everyday. Living simply is not an easy life....but the rewards are endless as are the lessons learned. As my Gram used to say " hard work never hurt anybody" ....as well as "many hands make light work"....both good lessons to teach my children....and to remember myself. May you have a joyful day! ~Sue~
