Our family is surrounded by a lot of "stuff". Our kids have grand toys. We have computer games and Wii games. We have a TV and DVD player to watch movies on. What we have is a whole lot of stuff taking our eyes off of what really matters!
Our family will be moving next spring, and as we prepare for this, we've noticed just how much stuff we've accumulated. My desire is that as we gather up our things, we will be able to discern whether or not it is really useful to our family.
All this stuff takes us away from important things~~ relationships! It is hard to have good relationships with each other if we are all in different rooms of the house doing different things. As we prepare to move into the house my husband grew up in, I hope to take some lessons from his parents in this home.
Hubby's dad built this house. It is a simple home by today's standards, but it was a great joy to my in~laws. Four children grew up in this home. Fifteen grandchildren have loved visiting grandma and grandpa in this home. Numerous holiday gatherings and dinners served to friends have been enjoyed in this home. A home that has never seen a video game or cable television! The house has an acre of land around it. Every grandchild has had a ride (and LOVED it!) on grandpa's tractor in this yard. The picture above was actually taken from the edge of their property this spring.
I pray that this home will be a blessing to our family. I pray that it will bring us closer to each other as we live and play there. I see holiday gatherings and birthday parties enjoyed with extended family. I see badmitton, soccer, and baseball games played in the backyard. I pray that we would be able to enjoy an abundant harvest from our garden~ a garden that we will toil together.
I know that a house does not make a home, but I truly desire to live simply and enjoy the many blessings God has blessed us with. To enjoy the things that really matter in life. To live out God's purpose for our family. So as we will begin to pack up this home in the next several months, I will be looking at things with a careful eye. Do we really need or want this, or will it bring unnecessary things to our home? Hmmm, this should be interesting!
Have a great day!
Blessings,
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31
Loved this post :)
ReplyDeleteOur family also loves to watch The Waltons and Little House on The Prairie !
Great reminder to live simply :)
Great post! I found via Mommy Moments and love your blog, i am a new follower!
ReplyDeleteSo glad i found your blog!! Found you from the mommy moments link up and i have always longed for a big family....we are just getting started with 1 little kiddo right now but theres just something about the busy chaotic lifestyle that i want. Hahaha. Newest follower and cant wait to read more from ya!
ReplyDeleteWe just started watching little house on the prairie again from season 1 and I love the simplicity too!
ReplyDeleteYou've probably already seen it but I like this blog for inspiration on living simply...http://theyearofless.blogspot.co.uk/
What a fabulous opportunity to live in this home, full of family history and heritage, and have the opportunity to live more simply! I feel your heart on this and have a secret dream to leave the city life someday. We'll see... taking it one step at a time!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from A Mama's Story Linkup!
We are in the process of moving as well, and like you I have been going through and sorting our things and trying to decide what needs to go and what can stay. The more I take to GoodWill the lighter my house feels, it's an awesome feeling.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you on your move, I pray you make many new and happy memories in your new home.
I enjoy those old shows too.
ReplyDeleteThat's something I need to work on as well! I did it once - when we moved several years ago. And it felt good! But now, I also see "Stuff" filling up spaces. So time to work on some creative decluttering as well. Thanks for the sweet encouragement. And be blessed in your grand new home full of such sweet family memories from past AND future times. :)
ReplyDeleteI am visiting from the link up at Our Simple Country Life! Hasn't God been good to us? And I feel in my soul and my own convictions that the simpler we can live the more unclouded are eyes are to see God's beautiful blessings. Please stop by and check out my blog. I have just started, I want to share my testimony and be an enouragement to other women. God Bless
ReplyDeletehttp://talesofthehappyhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/10/contentment_16.html
We have raised our children without video games, TV, and just a very few movies. You will NOT regret this choice and it sounds like you are moving to a very special home filled with good memories and good examples.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up with WholeHearted Home this week. I hope to stop by your blog often...and enjoy what you have to share here.
Oh yes, simplicity. How I wish simplicity was in our current day. It is important to live simply, to truly take the time to enjoy one another, to look around and be thankful for all God has provided in our world, the beauty all around us! Thank you for sharing and for linking up! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWe did move...twice, and the downsizing has been very helpful, but I see it slowly creeping back up on us...the stuff. may we all be discerning and proactive to say 'No' to things that rob us and steal our time. Excellent and thought-provoking!
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