Recently we heard a message at church on simplicity. It’s kind of a buzz word in our culture, but do we really understand what it means to live a simple life? Our pastor gave us some real-life application that I’ve been thinking of since then.
So many times, we think of living simply as a synonym for living without things, the opposite of materialistic discontent.
In I Thessalonians 4, when Paul was addressing the Christians there, he talks to them about living simply by minding their own business, working with their hands, and living a quiet life.
Paul seemed to be emphasizing their lifestyle, not just a lack of material possessions. In other words, they were encouraged to live contentedly or simply, if you will.
What does that really look like?
We may be content to let material possessions go, but how about a certain lifestyle of always seeking for something more. We can spin our wheels as mothers always looking for the next greatest thing/experience for ourselves and our children. This can wear us out to the point where the joy of life is lacking in our hearts and homes.
Are we raising a generation that will be content to be godly mothers or do we live in a way that says “the best things in life are out there somewhere and we’re gonna find them.” While we want to raise kingdom minded children, we must remember our ways are not God’s ways and many times He wants to use peaceful people who are content to speak to a very discontent, chaotic world. So many live under “stress”, another buzz word. Let us as God’s people live a different way~we still have to work hard, but we can leave all the baggage that we don’t really need lying by the curb. Say no to things that really don’t matter and make time for the best things.
We can share wonderful experiences with our children everyday by pointing out to them a bird, flower, or miracle of a seed growing. We can teach them to work with their hands, to love and give to others, and rest in a loving, peaceful atmosphere. We as mothers, can only give these experiences to our children if our own hearts are content. If we are always chasing the pot at the end of the rainbow or the rainbow itself, our children will learn that living in God’s presence and doing His work is not enough to satisfy.
He is truly all we need to be happy and content.
Are you missing joy as a mother, daughter, wife? Purpose to have a thankful attitude for the simple joys God gives you everyday. Live contentedly~truly stopping to see all around you the miracles of our Creator God!
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So true! And I think contentment is something that has to be cultivated…woked out in us…it doesn’t come naturally to our flesh (well, not to mine anyway).
The other day I was perusing a different blog – one I don’t normally read – and various moms were discussing how summer is so expensive for them, that they couldn’t wait for school to start back up. They were spending $1000 or so per family for day camps, sport activities, etc and it was really stretching them financially.
I’m certainly not asserting that those activities are wrong, but sometimes we can get so caught up in “they have to do this, johnny next door is doing that, I need a break” that we never really learn to be CONTENT. With what we are doing. With what we have. With what God has provided. You know what I mean?
Loved your post
) xoxo
This was so good! I have written devotions on contentment because this subject is near and dear to my heart. The Lord is always working on this area in my life.
I loved this line – “Are we raising a generation that will be content to be godly mothers or do we live in a way that says ‘the best things in life are out there somewhere and we’re gonna find them.’” So true and so hard to live out!
Dear Mrs. Devine,
What a thought-provoking post!
Thanks for challenging us to contentment; I believe that is something we terribly lack in many homes today.
I think you really hit the nail home with the phrase :
“He is truly all we need to be happy and content”!
Thank God that we can all LEARN this beautiful trait! The Apostle Paul said: “I have LEARNED in whatever state I am, therewith to be content”. I am on that road and am grateful for the encouragement from wiser saints on the way.:-)
May the LORD bless you!
Love,
Jenifer
That is wonderful, I often think to myself ‘Contentment not resentment’. In an area where the other stay at home moms often complain about how much they do & compare househods, it is easy to get bogged down with stress! Leave it behind, be greatful & thank God for blessings!
Thank you for this. I felt led to write about being content recently but the words just wouldn’t come. We have scaled down, we are going without a lot and “simplifying” our life to extremes, but I don’t think we had quite figured out how to simplify our mindsets and attitudes in this way.
All I got that day is this verse.
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Thank you again. This post was much needed today.
Thank you so much for this. I need a website like this to teach me. I was not raised to be domestically oriented, so for awhile I had a hard time with feeling inadequate and ill-prepared for my future role.
But with peace from God and knowing that the two most important ones in my life, will love me no matter what I feel better. I think it is fairly easy to get distracted with the details and lose sight of what is really important- A relationship with the Lord!
Contentment is something we need to teach our children, but first it is something we have to learn. We are taught by media that we deserve to do it all and live it all and that our children won’t be all they can be if we don’t take full advantage of every possible opportunity available. In my own life, I need to slow down and decide if I want media and society to run my life or if I want God in charge. It is a decision I need to make day by day, moment by moment.
I love this line: “we must remember our ways are not God’s ways and many times He wants to use peaceful people who are content to speak to a very discontent, chaotic world.”
I’ve been on the contentment issue for awhile now. It mainly has nothing to do with simplifying my life, but rather being focused on “my life.” I experience discontent when I glance at someone else’s or I desire more and more. Daily I make a choice to honor God by tending the ground that He has given me for His glory….I make a choice to focus on being content, happy, peaceful so that His light will shine through me.
I used to struggle with wanting to be out and about and felt rather bored at home. I have learned, thanks to my wonderful husband, that being at home is a wonderful place to be. He was concerned that as we were starting to homeschool we weren’t spending enough time at home. We had field trips to keep us entertained and other “outside” activities. He asked me to lessen that, and once I did I realized how much more I loved us being home.
Thank you for your inspiring articles. I read them every day.
Thank you!
We have to be the best example of contentment to our children.
Contentment is something I’ve been working on in my life lately. Thank you so much for this post & for this site. I just recently found it & it’s been a great blessing to find like-minded people to learn from!
As I read this site, I find myself shaking my head and questioning your wording. What do you mean by “Godly mother?” Is that a euphemism for a mother who stays at home full-time? Frankly, the best examples of Godly women and mothers I have had in my life were those were not only taking care of their own families, but making the world a better place outside of the home as well.
Training a girl to feel content being at home 24/7 is not healthy. If a girl chooses to have a career, that should be applauded and encouraged just as if she decided not to.
Honestly, I don’t know of a girl/mother who stays home 24/7. All moms have work to do, inside and outside their homes. And one of the traits of a Godly woman is to reach out her hands to those in need, which many times takes us out into our communities to help others. I’ve found as a SAHM mom, many opportunities along with my girls, to be a blessing to others.
Choosing to say no to a lot of extra things and living a simple life allows me the time to help others outside the four walls of my own home.
Blessings,
Rhonda Devine
Excellent post!
Thank you for a wonderful post. God has been dealing with my own heart concerning contentment for some time now. This is just another example of how God uses godly people to minister to His children.
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