Giveaway!!!

Don't forget to head over and register to win this great prize!!!

We have signed with both of our boys and have found it a great way to communicate before all the vocabulary is there...........not to mention it's just fun!

The Simple Life: Needs

I really enjoy eating brown sugar cinnamon Pop-tarts, yummmm. Anytime of day, I can't think of a more delicious snack to have. They are perfect at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even as a bedtime snack!!! OK, so you get my obsession, I NEED a Pop-tart!!

Oh, how far from the truth that is. In America, most of us have no idea what a need is. Have most of us ever gone to bed hungry because there was absolutely nothing to eat and no money to buy something? Have we been so long out of work that we depended on housing from a shelter or food from the food bank? Have we lived in a hut and slept on the dirt or mud depending on the season? Have we been afraid that our children might not live to be two years old because of a deadly disease that here in America there is a simple vaccine for?

Many see a need as a designer purse, name brand clothes, or the latest and greatest electronic gizmo. Some people believe that having a bedroom for each child, having a cell phone, or even having two cars is a need. When we were first married, we believed many of these things. We had no thought of the future and no focus on what being a good steward meant. We've look back on many purchases we have made in the past and see the total waste of money.

We made many mistakes but graciously the Lord has extended His mercy and continued to bless our family.

A need is a necessity. To our family the only things that are a necessity are nourishment, clothing, shelter, and the Lord. These items don't have to be the best of the best, top of the line, and depending on your place in life, might go against the norm. When we were still in college and still newly weds, I was an Resident Assistant on my floor. This gave me a huge meal plan and free room and board. Many thought we were crazy to continue to live in the dorms, but this saved us a fortune. Many thought we were crazy for managing apartments for family and living there free for two years, but again, it was such a blessing.

We only have one car, yes, Tom has a scooter that he rides to work and again, many people think we are crazy. But in the process I have been blessed with the ability to just enjoy being home. There are many times things have had to be passed up or planned out, but in being intentional about our trips out, we spend less and save more. We save more of ourselves for our family. We save time by getting things all at once. We save money and in such have enjoyed being able to give to others more due to all the money we have saved in gas, insurance, and the money one spends on running around town.

We are content with this life that God has given us.

We really feel that life is simple, easy, and enjoyable just the way it is. Yes, there are hard times, but we have every NEED met and also have so much more. We are blessed to live in America, have a fabulous family, have a job, and have a home, food, and clothes. We are also blessed to have been chosen to be a child of the King, which when it boils down to it, is really the only TRUE need in life!

But my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

The Simple Life: Contentment

I think being content is one of the best things in life, it may also be one of the hardest things as well. I love this post from Money Saving Mom, I encourage you to read and think about it. I think to live simply one has to start at the heart of the matter. All the good intentions in the world will not get one to the place of being happy with the simple things unless their heart is in it.

I went to an event last week with many longtime doctor's wives, and the conversation dwelt on stuff, the need for it, the desire for it, and the "pain" of delayed gratification. As I left the event, I felt so downcast. I had let those women, who could now have almost anything they wanted and had already too much stuff, drag me down into thinking how "bad off we were." But then I realized with even all the money they had, they weren't happy or content. They were looking for more, hunting for fulfillment, and complaining because of needs/wants that weren't being met.

There is never enough time, never enough money, and never enough stuff to keep one happy. Only true fulfillment comes from the Lord above. He supplies ALL we need. Jesus Himself gave us an example of how to pray...."Give us THIS day our daily bread." Just as God supplied manna every day in the wilderness for His people, He will supply all we need. We don't need to be concerned about what tomorrow will bring or how we will provide for our family tomorrow, God will take care of everything! I'm not saying it will be easy or a cake walk, but we can rest on the fact that God will supply all our needs, we don't have to concern ourselves with what we don't have or what we think we need.

I know that it is very easy to look to the future as our hope and see the present as a (hopefully) short time of heartache, delayed gratification, and sacrifice. But what if today is all you have? What if the raise never comes, the easy times never come your way? What if the heartache continues for a lifetime? Can you be content that God knows exactly what He is dealing you?

I know there has been many times when I now look back and realize those hard times were the best times. They brought me closer to God, closer to my husband, and brought me many times to my knees.

Are you content with where you are in life?

Are you content with the big things like:

~being home with your children?

~the home you've been blessed with?

~the job your husband has?

~the money God has lent to you?

Are you content with the small things like:

~the clothes/shoes/purses in your closet

~the car you drive

~the food you eat

~the stuff you own

I would love to hear the battles and successes you have had over discontentment.