Choosing to live a simple life is actually choosing to work a little harder (which is also more rewarding!). It's a mind-set that one must choose. It's not something everyone embraces...but for me and my family...it's the way I feel God has led us.
My faith has grown...larger and stronger...since realizing that *simple* is enough. We don't need to have designer clothes, an ultra fancy vehicle, a million dollar house or lots of *stuff* to be happy. If you have the money for those things...I don't begrudge you that! Many people in the Bible were rich. But when people get those things because they feel it makes them *better* or *hipper*...they begin losing themselves. When you try so hard to be what the "world" deems to be
great...you slowly, but surely, begin to lose what has made you special in the eyes of God. You are His child...unique and loved by Him.
Whether you wear designer jeans or not! ;)
I have realized that embracing modesty has changed my outlook on clothing. No longer do I think "do I look fat in this?". Now, I know, that I am dressing appropriately, feminine and modestly. I don't feel the need to *look* better than anyone else...but to show that I am a woman who takes enough care to dress nicely and care for myself...but not for the *world's* standards...but in a way that I feel is wholesome and helps me to fill my role as helpmeet to my husband. There, to me, is something about wearing a skirt, that reminds me that I am the *first mate*. (Although I *do* want to mention...this is a choice of mine...to live simply does
not mean you have to wear a skirt...for me, it just fits into my lifestyle!)
Chris is the
captain...I am his
first mate. This doesn't make me less important...we just fill the roles that God set out for us....this is how He designed it. Chris needs me. I am his helper. I strive, everyday, to fill this role to the best of my ability. When we were first married...I thought I should be a queen. Over the past ten years, as God has drawn me closer to Him, I have seen how wrong I was. So many people wonder why their marriages struggle...and oft-times, it is because each person is not filling their proper God-made roles. I guess I could go on about this...but my purpose for this post was not to focus on marriage... ;) Maybe that is something to talk about, another day!
One
important tip I want to share is that you first *need* to get out of debt. Then, once you are out of it...stay out! Cut up those credit cards (I have never owned a credit card...I have a debit card..but never, ever bought anything on credit). If you can't pay cash....then wait until you can. I could write a whole post about the whys, hows, and such of why you need to be out of debt (the first being that God tells us in His word that the *borrower is servant to the lender* ~Prov. 22:7)...but that sort of post can wait. If you are curious on how to get out of debt and want to start now...email me and I will see if I can be of help! :)
To live more simply, I strive to do things the more old-fashioned way, I suppose. I love putting "old things" to good use. You can be so creative! I use baskets for many different things, such as holding folded towels, bread baskets, and a place to keep your children's crayons! I would rather wash dishes by hand than use a dishwasher. I don't need a lot of *stuff*. I like to (often) go through things that we don't need anymore and donate them to the thrift store. There's no sense on things cluttering up my home when someone else may be able to use them!
I cook most things from scratch....including our bread and rolls (which I make weekly). This is a money saver...as well as great-tasting!! We have a garden in the summer which we tend to, as a family. Then I can and freeze much of our harvest! I also enjoy making (and canning) jelly and jam! **Few things are better than a slice of homemade bread with your homemade jam spread across it!** Menu planning is a great way to stay in your budget as well. Try to stay away from buying a ton of processed foods...make your *own* cookies and cakes at home. :) The children will enjoy helping you, it's cheaper and you *know* what is in them!
I love candlelight and oil lamplight. Instrumental, worship, and/or soft music is often playing in my home, as well. It all creates such a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere! Simple things, such as this, can calm a chaotic house!
We often get our clothes from thrift shops or hand-me-downs. You can save so much money this way!
And I must say, really, how many clothes does each person *need*? I like to make my own laundry soap...and hanging my clothes out on the line is a great money-saver! I *do* have a dryer though, which gets most of its use in the winter. I also have a drying rack which I hang clothes on to dry, through the snowy and cold winter months.
I find knitting (and now crocheting) to be an enjoyable way to benefit my household. I make gifts as well as items for our home (such as dishcloths that I use to wash dishes with). I have even sold a few of the things I have made. My sewing machine is being fixed right now...but then I have every intention of sewing things for our family, as well. Other crafts I hope to do at some time include soap making and candle making! I also intend on quilting one day!!! :)
Also...we home educate our children. Oh what a
beautiful (and sometimes difficult) journey it is! Many say that they could never afford to homeschool. Oh, not true! There are many frugal ways to go about it...plus if you think of how much you truly spend, sending your child to a public school, you may see how much cheaper it is to keep them at home! :) No need for school clothes shopping, paying for school lunches, new backpacks, school pictures (
which are always ridiculously expensive!) etc. My children's hearts are being molded by us...not by other children or teachers. Such a wonderful blessing it is! :)
Honestly, I feel like the way we live is just *normal*. Maybe it isn't all too different from how everyone else lives? One thing I *know* is different with us, though, from some, is that we have no desire to be "better" than anyone else. There is no struggle with trying to have more, more, more. Many may see us as beneath them...but that doesn't bother me. I feel we live the way we should be, according to how God wants us to. I feel no pressure to "keep up with the Joneses", as the saying goes.
One more way to live simply and wisely....is to be
generous! There are those struggling, needy and hurting...right now and always. Anonymous giving is a beautiful way to share God's love with people as well as to train our hearts to realize that we have what we *need*, God always provides, so let's share the surplus *whether it's $5 or $50*! :)
As I sit and think, hoping to include everything I have been thinking about lately, I find myself unsure of what else to include. Have I forgotten anything that you may have been wondering about?
I hope you have found some of my words helpful and beneficial. As Christmas approaches this year, please remember it isn't about more *stuff*. It's about the birth of our Savior and
why He needed to come for us. :)
Thanks for visiting. I am just a simple woman, sharing ways we live. You need to do what works for you. But...as I see the economic crisis that our government (and quite frankly, the world) are in...cutting back and living more simply and being prepared are all things we, as women and keepers of our homes, should be doing.
From my heart to yours,
Katy :)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20
