The Old Homeplace

Contentment

I have been reading The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment By Jeremiah Burroughs. This book has really helped me to see just what a dis-contented state that I am in. Even though it was printed in 1651(I think) it spoke directly to me in at least three different areas.

He spoke specifically of being concerned about the cloths and dishes we have in our houses.

You see, I bought a new set of dishes before the holidays. A set of Corelle, service for 8. This is the first set of new dishes that I remember buying. Was I satisfied? For a few minutes...then I started thinking that I really needed two sets. Now mind you that my husband and I are the only ones at home now and we rarely have over eight people eating here. But still in the back of my mind I was thinking how nice it would be to have matching plates when we have a lot of company. Here I was with a NEW set of dishes and all I could think about was how nice it would be to have two sets!

"Cloths", rather the lack thereof, is another thing that has been causing discontentment. I like to do crafts and I have really been wanting to work on a quilt. A pretty quilt. Now I don't NEED a quilt I WANT one. But the only store near me that carries fabric is Wal-mart and ours has very little now. And gas is so expensive that by the time I drive to the city and buy lunch I would not have much money left to spend at the shops. I looked on-line and found some quilt fabric that was selling for up to $12 a yard. A little too expensive AND I want to be able see and touch the fabric to get "inspired".

What to do! How am I going to make the quilt"s" that we NEED...did you notice that WANT changed to NEED and quilt changed to quilt"s"?

Not only do we have more than enough covers, but I have also been blessed with quilt fabric. I have been collecting fabric for an appliqued quilt for some time and have just about enough to start on it. I also have some quilt blocks and fabric from an on-line swap that I was privileged to participate in. But you know, somehow, I totally forgot about those. I wanted to be like "everybody" else and have a huge fabric stash! Instead of being thankful for what I have I was worried about acquiring something else.

That seems to be the way it is with me. Instead of being thankful for and enjoying what I have I am always worrying about what I don't have!

The third thing that really hit home was about having a good name. The writer implied that if you get too upset when someone damages your good name maybe you value your good name just a little too much! I had not thought about it in that way before. I needed to hear that just now.

This book has been a real blessing to me and I am thankful that these kinds of books are being made available on the internet. I found this one at:

http://www.woundedheart.org/jbcontent1.htm

I am seeking to be content in the state that I am in and I know it is not something I can do on my own. Please remember me as you pray.

What Is God's Will For Me Today?

I have have plans to do some general cleaning today. I am washing the bedding and vacuuming our bed. I also want to clean out the pantry today.

But what if my day doesn't go as planned? Will I accept what today brings? Will I grumble and complain because my important plans were interrupted?

I really want to accept God's will in my life, in the big things and the small. I really want to learn to accept what is given and not spend my time worrying over that which is not!

Blog Name

The old home place...what do I think of when I here those words?  I think of home and family.  I think of warm quilts on cold winter nights and playing hide and seek with my cousins on summer days.  I think of the fireplace my grandparents had and the cat that slept on the stool beside the fire when she took the notion.  I think of the cold potatoes that seemed to always be on grandma's table when I came to visit and the wonderful sauerkraut she made.  I think of hearing my other grandma calling out all of our names in prayer when I stepped on her porch and the way she made us the most delicious eggs scrambled in meat grease with lots of salt.  I think of her comfortable beds made with starched and ironed sheets.  The old home place...that's where I want to live.  A home that's warm and welcoming and pleasing to God, small children, and others that happen to come in.

Thanks everyone for your comments. They were quite unexpected but very welcome!!! 

First Entry!!!

Wow!  This is my first attempt at blogging.  I hope I can figure it all out! 

Thanks to homesteadblogger.com for providing this space!