The Way Life Is

~written September 5, 2009

Today while I was sewing a pair of culottes (which just happened to be a very aggravating pattern) I stole away for a few minutes to read some articles online and see what everyone in the blog world was up to. I looked at pictures and read about one girl who was making a beautiful apron for her friend; another woman was busy keeping house for her handsome farmer and watching after a rambunctious little girl while another young woman, donned in an quaint prairie dress, visited friends on an old farm. Others portrayed a life full of baking, gardening, shopping at the thrift stores in their spare time and sipping on spice tea while they read a good book. Their lives all seemed so perfect. So full of feminine beauty and old fashioned elegance!

After looking at just a glimpse of these seemingly wonderful ladies lives, I all of a sudden felt boring in my flowered cotton shirt, faded blue jean skirt, and pony tail. As I got back to my sewing I felt as if my life was missing something. I didn’t know if I should make another dress from era’s gone by, bake a loaf of delicious homemade banana bread, sit down with a cup of Russian tea and read that book that I’ve kept putting aside, or get back on my quilt that I started a year ago. Somehow I just felt like I needed to do something to make my life more interesting . . . or enjoyable. But instead my day was spent fretting over a pair of culottes that I had put off making until the last minute. Sitting at a sewing machine and ripping out seam after seam is not exactly what I call a romantic day in the country.

No, my life is not anywhere near perfect. I work a full time job Monday through Friday, I might watch an episode of The Waltons for enjoyment in the evenings, my room isn’t always clean, I usually don’t get around to my to do list until the last minute, and I often find myself stressing over things that I won’t even remember in a month’s time. The fact of the matter is: sometimes life is stressful. Sometimes life isn’t that perfect picture of ease and beauty. Sometimes we will lose the time and even the desire to do those extra little things that make our lives seem special. That’s life. How do we get through each day? Only with God's help.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Grass Really isn't Greener on the Other Side

Recently we have been doing some modifying to our pastures. In order for us to take full advantage of our three fields, we moved our fence closer to the drive way and put in two new gates so that our cows can cross the drive-way into another pasture. Now the one field is bigger since part of the "ditch" is inside the gate.

I noticed right away the difference in the color of the grass. The part that use to be outside of the fence was a lighter green and not near as pretty and thick as the grass that has always been inside. Daddy had fertilized the grass that the cows were eating so that they would have plenty of nutrients, but he wasn't to worried about the grass outside of the fence because none of our animals were eating it at the time.

I started to wonder how many times our cows probably wanted to get on the other side of the fence and eat the greenery that was beyond their reach. It probably appeared to be greener then what they were eating simply because they couldn't have it.

At times I find myself looking at others lives and wishing that I could do some of the things they do or have some of the things they have. Sometimes it seems like my life, inside of God's fense, is not as pleasant as those Christians who have more, are doing "greater" things for God, or are in a more interesting ministry than I. As discontentment creeps its way into my heart, I no longer see the lush green grass that is around me.

Does it ever seem to you that there is greener grass out there in the world? Are you discontent with where God has you? Remember that the best place for you to be is in God's will because it is there that He is fertilizing the ground and giving you everything you need to be a healthy Christian. The grass really isn't greener on the other side.

Peaceful Living

Today was like any other day in some ways. I woke up before the sun had risen to head out to work. There, I did my usual tasks of taking customers orders, carrying food out occasionally, bagging food, cleaning, stocking shelves, and what ever else needed to be done in a fast food restaurant. At times it becomes very loud in the small building. Above the ice maker and exhaust fans you can hear the customers chatter and laughter and vehicles going by on the road out front. For a small town, it is a busy little gathering place.

When I got home tonight though, it was different than most other nights. After talking to mama I went out side to start on my school work. I usually don't study out side, but I knew I would enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. For a few minutes time seemed to stand still. As I sat there in silence with only the sound of rustling leaves and birds talking back and forth in chirps, I watched Phillip play on the trampoline with a water hose. Then glancing to my right I saw Amy running through the yard, skipping over mounds of dirt so freely. They both seemed so care free and happy.

I started thinking about how wonderful it is that we live out in the woods far from town. Our little five acres are so peaceful. The privacy we have allows us to do as we please without worrying about our neighbors watching and complaining. Being surrounded by farms means we live in a place void of heavy traffic, noisy trains, and loud music. We have the privaledge of watching nature every day through our animals and many plants. There are so many blessings from living in the country!

I am so thankful that God lead my dad to move out hear seven years ago. I would rather live in the country in a double wide trailer than in the city living in the nicest house imaginable any day. The country life is wonderful!

:: The picture at the top is of the goats that we no longer have, but don't they look so peaceful? The other picture has all three of my younger siblings on the trampoline. Sorry for the blurriness! By the way, I also have an older brother Ryan, but I haven't put a picture of him on here yet. I will some day!::

Recommended Artical

The other day I came upon an artical called The Grass is Always Greener at Young Ladies Christian Fellowship. Ever since I read it I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. Mrs. Ruth Weichmann said, "You have probably heard the saying that 'life is not a bed of roses' . . . I have long maintained that, despite the saying, life is like a bed of roses." Her insight on the subject is very helpful. I don't think I could say it as good as she did, so I thought I would link to the artical so that you could read it for yourself. The article is well worth your time.

Contentment

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Life is full of seasons. Things constantly change, whether it’s a new job, a new church, new friends, or a change in the way we do things. I’ve learned that some good things only last for a short while. It makes me wonder, do we enjoy every season of our life as much as we possibly can? Or do we instead, dream of what we want in the future, or long for the past?

God sends these changes for a reason. I believe we should live our best in the season we are in and soak up every moment. If we are constantly longing for and reliving memories of the past or dreaming about our future, we will miss the present blessings. Yes, it is good to relive fond memories and dream a little, but there is a certain point where it needs to stop. If we are constantly wishing we were back at our old church, it may prevent us from being blessed at where God has us now. Or if all we do is long to be married to the man of our dream, we may not see what God wants us to do while we are single.

J. O. Fraser put it all into perspective very well. “Have we any right to be so dissatisfied with our present condition, which God has ordained for us, that we should hanker after something in the future? I can hardly see that we have.” When you think of it as God ordained then it does seem wrong to wish for something better. Even though it is so hard sometimes not to let your mind wander, it can be done. Maybe it would be easier if we all keep Paul as our example. He said in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” That should be our goal.