Simplicity

If ever there was a young lady who overly complicated her life, I would be the one. At a young age I decided my life would be anything but boring so I began adding all kinds of things, problems, people, situations (you get the picture) into my life to keep things "interesting". As you can imagine, years later, I realized what that self-made promise got me; lots of complication and very little boring. When I stopped to think about it, it wasn't what I was truly looking for. Unnecessary complexity never is. However, eventually I decided through trial and error that there really is beauty in simplicity-and I wanted to get to the core of it. I sincerely wanted to taste the sweetness of the simple life.

 
How can you find beauty in simplicity when your life isn't simple? The next question I would ask is, "what is simple"? Albert Einstein made it plain through his studies that everything is relative, so what is it then?
Ironically, simplicity is a word full of meaning. However, we're going to narrow it down to these three definitions: having clarity, plainness as a way of life, and possessing sincerity.

Sincerity

Sincerity does not overcomplicate. If you sincerely desire to raise a family, keep home, love your husband and nurture a marriage- then you truly desire to do it. Sincerity goes against the norm and does not use false pride or flashy show to live life. Sincere change in a woman

comes because she does things because she loves to, because she desires to for whatever reason she believes in. This definition does not say we are busy because we are sincere. It is merely saying that sincerity is the crucial beginning step to any change and the ingredient to keep it that way.
If life is too busy or complicated for you now take an inventory of your life and go inside to find the desire to slow down or cut down on the extras. What does that change entail? You decide. That change in your life could means cutting out the extra running around or getting rid of excess clothing to cut down on the laundry loads. Only you can look at your life and sincerely decide what needs to go to begin anew.

Plainness as a way of Life

I love newness, pretty things and am a very spontaneous person. (No, this isn't turning into a personal ad.) { smile } Because of this, I always thought plain was boring. As I've been living a more plain way of life, I've come to see that it is anything but boring. Simplicity is deep and meaningful, rich and organic. Simplicity is appreciation for the beauty of the earth, for the belongings we have, and for life itself. As we slow down and get back to the basics, to our roots, and to our core we discover more that is within ourselves and embrace the larger picture of life.

Clarity

When we get rid of the extra unnecessary things that clutter and complicate life we can see more clearly. When we're constantly cleaning the house because we have too many belongings sometimes it's hard to see past the clutter. When we're running around all day and barely make it home to throw a meal in the microwave and then collapse from exhaustion on the couch, how can we see past the tired eyes?

Clarity comes when we get rid of complexity. Clarity comes when we invite it in and slow our lives down to simple, loving tasks and less to-do's. It is true that there will be things we don't want to do but have to. How does this look in your life? What will you cross of your list and breathe a sigh of relief from?
From the simple bouquet of fresh flowers on the table to the homemade rolls baking in the oven, it's the simple things that make life so meaningful. Take time to stop and see the beauty of simplicity.

Looking Back

The last 2 years have been very difficult on out family.  We have had some very high ups and some very very low lows.  Yet, as I've spent the last week looking back over them I can't help but to have seen some tremendous growth.  I'm more sure of who I am now then I have ever been in the past.  I no longer feel then need to fit someone else's vision for my life.  Truth be told my life doesn't even fit my vision for my life! It's not quite there yet but my life is on it's way to fitting God's vision for my life.  And that has made all the difference.  If you would have told me 5 years ago that I was going to be a stay at home mom who was home schooling, learning to sew and knit and was perfectly content, I would have laughed at you.  It's true though, I am happy with what I am doing.  I am working hard at finding ways to help us live frugal so that I can continue in this.

I know what kind of family I want to have.  I know how important my children are to me and that raising them is my number 1 goal in life for right now.  I know that I want to be actively involved in the raising of them, I want to raise up godly young men who know how to be responsible and take care of their families, that know how to love theirs wives and children but above all of that my goal is to raise up men who know how to, love, worship and serve God.

The past 2 years have also taught me a lot about studying God's word and seeing what it has to say for myself.  I never thought I would be one of those Pentecostal women who believed in dresses only and not cutting your hair or wearing jewelry but again here I am!  Happy and more free then I have ever been before. I have learned that being a Christian is not about rules or judging but about a personal relationship (something I had never understood before) .  It's not about how I am feeling but about worshiping anyways!  It's not about how other people see me but about how the one who created me sees me!

I am looking forward to 2011 knowing that with the Lord on my side though it may not always be easy it will always be fruitful!