I'm tired of this 2013 fast paced, brand driven, social media obsessed, technology overloaded, anti Christian culture. Yes, I said it. I'm tired of all the hype and trying to keep up with everyone around me and make sure I'm in style…oh wait, I've never been in style so scratch that, and trying to make sure I'm in touch with the latest activity to benefit my kids, and keeping up with everyone on Facebook and constantly being disgusted by what's on TV, even the commercials. It's just all become too overwhelming and I think I'm missing out on the real business of life. Simply living and living simply.
There's been a tug at my heart and mind lately, bringing me back to my roots and the way I grew up and I have an intense desire to get back to basics and leave all of this other stuff behind. I really believe we've let ourselves progress beyond what's healthy for us and our relationships with the Lord and others and I don't want to get caught up in all of the advancement and miss out on the true good life God has in store for me.
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11
So what are the basics, the roots I'm talking about? Well, I've been pondering that myself lately too. I consider my childhood the best ever…biased I know. It was filled with so much joy, love, animals, outdoors, God, learning, fun, imagination, and work. We spent as much time as possible outside each day that we could, we worked as a family to create a 'home place', lived in imaginary land without much TV, wore hand-me-downs, garage sale clothes or home made clothes, and didn't have a clue what was in style. God was a part of every experience we had, and church was the most fun outing we had..choir practice on Wednesdays and church on Sundays. And we had many pets, horses, chickens and cows that taught us responsibility and were our friends when we didn't have many others. As I write this it sounds like we were a little pathetic, but that's the point I think. That simple life we had helped us to not expect everything in life and to be content with what we had.
I've been increasingly blessed as I've grown and yet I've also become more aware of what's out there, what people have, what's in style and it's toxic. It creates discontent, confusion, competition and a desire for more than God wants us to desire. And I've already seen how easy it is to give my kids everything they want and to want them to have the best version of a product instead of one that is good enough.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
I don't want my kids to know what's stylish because I don't want them to desire those things. I want them to be content with the average and realize that spending more on items because they bear a certain name is foolish in the Kingdom we are striving to live for. Because of the way I was raised I have a sort of inner alarm that goes off when I see a shirt over a certain price, or see what people are asking for a purse or shoes or anything that's 'in style.' Though sometimes it makes it hard to walk that line between good deal and quality shopping, I'm thankful to have that inner check so that I don't get caught up in the lie of shopping for name instead of need. And I know that in this culture it's going to be so easy for my kids to buy into the 'name' is important lie, if I don't protect them from that, teach them the value of thrifty living and teach them what God says about material things in the Bible. That's one of the basics that I want to get back to…simple contentment with having clothes and basic needs.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain…But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 1 Timothy 6:6,8
Another basic I want to get back to is enjoying the nature God has given us and not getting caught up in feeling like I need to do all the activities I can with my kids or go too many places with them. Of course it's fun to go on outings…we went to a children's museum yesterday and it was amazing. But I don't want those days to be the only highlights of my kids' childhoods. I want them to remember and relish the moments when we planted veggies, rode the horses, played in the dirt, found caterpillars, built things out of sticks and so much more. If I focus on going and doing too much I'll create in them a desire to constantly be on the move and lessen their appreciation for the good things God's given them here at home. I so admire my aunt who has two kids and homeschools them. I admire her because her kids are so content and happy and seem to always be enjoying the simple things around the house. She has been on my brain a lot lately because she is such an example of being content where you are and loving what God has given you. I want to raise kids who are grounded and love their 'country' life because it offers all they need.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them'." Psalm 126:2
Hard work is another basic that I want to get back to in my own life. I want to be an example for my kids of how to work hard for things in life and to be proud of what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. I want them not to be afraid to work and to be ready to enjoy the result when they put their mind to something. I think my parents instilled this into my brother and I without even realizing it, and I'm so thankful for that. There were always jobs to be done around the house, projects that were going on and work to share in. We did everything from picking up sticks to driving the hay truck, taking care of animals, and much more. And we did it all without realizing that Mom and Dad could have not had us help. So I want to be more diligent to work here more, in the garden, helping Dalton with whatever he needs, having my own projects to accomplish. I've morphed into a somewhat lazy person when it comes to outside work and I'm ashamed of that. I really want to shed the inside lifestyle that's so easy to take part and live in and get back to the basics.
"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 26-27
And a daily prayer for my family is to get back to the basics of not living for this kingdom and not trying to make it rich in life. Oh, this is such a hard one. Not necessarily wanting to be wealthy, but just wanting to have 'a nice place,' so to speak. This is another area where I've been thinking of my aunt lately. They have always been the type of family who is content where ever they are and who make the most of what God's given them at that time. I want this attitude because when you are content where ever you are, then usually it blooms into just the place you wanted to be. I'm not giving up on having our own place to work at and develop soon, but I want to live in contentment here while I'm waiting. And when the time comes that we do get some land, I want to work with Dalton and the kids to make it our own. I'm confident that the more you work together to make a home, the better home it is.
God has really been putting this idea onto my heart, being content and not desiring riches, or really desiring comfort now and in the future. Not only is anti-materialsim and worldly treasure EVERYWHERE in the Bible (unfortunately so we can't avoid it), but it's also been in books, sermons and thoughts I've had. I think our culture, our own sinful natures and even our friends/family can validate our desire for riches and that's so dangerous. I want to be rooted in the Kingdom so I won't be swayed to those desires. Oh, how I pray for this in my life.
To this end I have to share that God has been so faithful in Dalton and my life. We always have just what we need and when we are at the end of our rope somehow God blesses us in a way that's totally unexpected and just what we need. Never more than we need though and I think it's because God knows our hearts and He knows that we are striving not to desire riches here. He knows that in my sinful heart I'll take all I can get so he protects us by giving us what we need. And I'm grateful. We were talking about it last night and I feel that God is preparing us for a day when He calls us to do something that makes no financial sense. At that time I think we're supposed to look back on all He's provided in such a timely manner and take that jump. What that is I'm not sure, but it's excited to think He's preparing us for greater service to Him.
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." 1 Timothy 6:9
Oh, and then there's the whole entertainment and social media thing, but honestly that's another post. I've just about made a decision on this front that I hope will simplify my life further and help rid me of some temptations of pride and discontent. Stay tuned.
It's a big job being a mom and wife, and I think that all of these basics will help me to be a better one. The Proverbs 31 woman, a great example, seems to put forth a lot of effort to keep her family healthy and her household working efficiently. So, I think I'll attempt to follow her example and get busy!
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation." Psalm 95:1
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