Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can't Live Simply Until...

How to Begin Achieving a More Simple Life

So many moms desire a more simple life. A life that is encompassed by more time for family devotions, read alouds, story telling, art, journaling, game nights, movie  nights, or just time to stay at home. Homeschooling moms are often especially desirous of more time at home. Often times we find ourselves on the run for so many activities. We search for outside activities that will round out our children's education such as music lessons, book clubs, co-ops, science classes, 4-H, theater, voice lessons, youth groups, mission trips, community service, sports, etc. Somehow we have all succumb to countering the old adage that homeschoolers are unsocialized. We go so far in the other direction to counter this, that we find ourselves rarely home.

It has been discussed in many venues that American children are over scheduled. What is often overlooked, is that homeschool children are more than over scheduled to say the least. In our own circles we often joke about schooling in our vans, because there is simply no time at home to do so. How can we possibly school at home when we are gone 4 days a week with activities. Not only does this leave our children with a harried sense of what life is, but it leaves mom worn out with a constant thought of what comes next and what needs to be prepared for it.

Once we are involved in this complex lifestyle, it can be hard to get out or even pull back. We over commit not only ourselves, but our children as well. Often times we find ourselves dreading that our commitments control our lives. But we can regain our lives for our own. It can be done. YOU can help your family return to a more simple lifetstyle.

In desiring a new lifestyle, it is most important for you to consider God's desire for your lifestyle and that of the lifestyle of your family. Unfortunately, all those social and academic activities are a distraction from God's desire for us. There are so many things in our world that can distract from God's set priorities for our lives; even those that are related to our church. When our priorities are mis-ordered, it can be easy to rectify by going to God. Deuteronomy is filled with God's command for us to follow Him fully in His way. we are human and as such we let our self desires get in the way. We can turn this around, by acknowledging that we have gotten away from His priorities for our lives and asking Him to help us.

In the same vein it is necessary for us to use the direction given us in Titus 2 to train our daughters. It is crucial for us not to cover up our weaknesses and our stumbles. Talk with your children about God's priorities for their lives as well. Discuss how your family has allowed distractions (be specific here) to swerve away from God's priorities. Pray together as a family for guidance to return to God's desire for your family. This will mean sacrifice from everyone. Children may need to scale back to one or two activities. You may decide that you can continue to be involved in your Boy Scout pack, but that you will need to step down as Scout Master. Whatever it is, discussing and maing decisions as a family will enable your children to not only see the importance of God's priorities in their lives, but to also learn first hand how to return to them when life takes over and leads youa stray.

By giving God your busy distracting lives and asking Him to help you to return to His desires, you will find simplicity. This will likely mean baby steps. You may need a few months to get things in order with any commitments you may personally have. You may be the volunteer organizer at your local hospice center, the children's theatrical director, a leader in your church's youth group, or head of decorating your altar. If God leads you to sicontinue any of these activities, then you many need time to give notice and/or train a replacement. Whatever your steps, your children will benefit from working through a process to a more simple life with you.

These are my thoughts.