Balance

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Sometimes I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman.

I am a very task-oriented person, so things like "she provides food for her family... her arms are strong for her tasks... she makes coverings for her bed... she makes linen garments and sells them..." speak right to me...

But sometimes I see that list and think how in the world does she accomplish all of that (and not fall into bed exhausted at the end of the day)?!?!

Am I supposed to just pick and choose the things I know I can do? Am I supposed to strive to do it all? Who exactly is this proverb meant for? Is it just a warning to not be lazy?

I do enjoy things like cooking and cleaning and sewing. Most of the time. But in our world today there are so many "conveniences" that make these tasks easier. And I think it sometimes causes us to become lazy. We check a few items off our list and we're done; time to play on the internet now. At least I'm guilty of that mindset.

But how do we balance tasks with relationships (family, friends) with me-time? I'm an introvert. I NEED time alone. I don't get a whole lot with a 15-month-old daughter. Even right now, I'm listening carefully because I know she'll be waking up any minute now. I'm not normally a people-person. Relationships are hard work for me. Whether that's with my husband, or my daughter, or my other friends. It takes time and energy. Honestly, time and energy I would often rather spend on "tasks"...

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.'" Isn't that the praise we as women long to hear?

Life is all about balance, isn't it? Balancing our time, our possessions, our tasks and relationships.

What are some ways you've found to balance your life?

Musical Mondays: Do Everything

I first heard this song by Steven Curtis Chapman a couple of months ago. The very first verse caught my attention -- "You're picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today..." Sometimes we wonder if the little things we do in life really matter. We might say, "I'm not a pastor-missionary-professor-etc. I'm not changing the world." Well many verses in the Bible confirm that yes, everything you do is important, no matter how big or small!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." -Colossians 3:23

Enjoy this video, just released a week ago. It's pretty humorous. And see if you can relate to any of the people he mentions.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
-1 Corinthians 10:31

For a short video by SCC about the story behind this song, click here.

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You’re picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you


Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do


Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day
Little stuff big stuff in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do


Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do


Well maybe you’re sitting in math class
Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget to do


Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace as you do


Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

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Have a blessed day, in WHATEVER you do. :)

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Musical Mondays -- Pick a song, post the song, tell why you love the song -- idea from cheap wine and cookies

"Oh I wanna live the simple life..."

I know it's not a Musical Monday, but I've been reminded of this song the last few days -- Carolyn Dawn Johnson's Simple Life.

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Tuesday morning Abby and I left with some friends for a mini-road-trip. We spent Tuesday night and as much time as we could Wednesday in Shipshewana, Indiana. It's in the heart of Amish Country. I honestly have mixed feelings about the place. Shipshewana has really become a tourist destination. There is a giant flea market and auction twice a week, and a couple of blocks of little shops, restaurants, etc. Many of them are staffed by Amish and Mennonites, but many are not. I loved the shops with homemade Amish items, from jams to rugs to paintings and more, but found myself a bit turned off by the other stores -- the ones that sold items I could get anywhere.

I found myself wondering about what the Amish people in Shipshewana thought. Are they glad for the business, that they're able to sell things and give buggy rides and wait on tables so they can earn money just like any other person? Or do they wish the area had stayed traditional, like many other Amish communities across the country?

I grew up in a rural area not too far from many Amish families. Sometimes on my way to or from Big Rapids I would take the "back way" and go down dirt roads, just to catch glimpses of the buggies and clothes on the line and families taking a break with some lemonade on their porch. A few years ago I went through a book-reading-phase where I read so many Amish stories by Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter and Beth Wiseman. (it even often inspired me to bake and clean!)

Sometimes I crave that simple life. To do away with [most] technology, to live off the land, to just tend my garden and bake my bread and raise my kids. But short of a major lifestyle change (that I know none of us are ready for), that's not going to happen to our family anytime soon. So I try to find ways to live a simple life right where I am. I know there are books and blogs galore on this topic, so I won't be short on ideas. I just have to go for it...

I have wondered this world far and wide
I've been all around to the other side
But there's nothin' like comin' home
Nothin' like comin' home

I wanna sit on my front porch and drink my lemonade
Cut my grass after church every Sunday
And go out on Saturday night
Live the simple life
Wake up in the morning to these fields of gold
And take a long walk down a gravel road

Spend my days in the sweet sunshine
Rock in my swing and watch my garden grow
Know that I'll always have someone to hold
Oh I-I-I wanna live the simple life

I wanna take a blanket down to the creek
And let the water sing me to sleep
Let go of time
Live the simple life
Lately I've seen too many city lights
I wanna go somewhere where I can see the stars at night

Spend my days in the sweet sunshine
Rock in my swing and watch my garden grow
Know that I'll always have someone to hold
Oh I-I-I wanna live the simple life


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Do you have any desire to live the simple life?