Simple Living: Why We Choose To Do Without
Choosing to do without, may seem like we would be missing out on something because we don’t HAVE something. Our culture is fulled with a constant influx of ideas on how to have more and MORE. More is the answer to having a successful and happy life – according to our culture’s standards.
My husband and I have different standards. Of course our human minds sometimes desire the things of this world, but really in the end, we desire to live a simple life.
Choosing to live a simple life, also means choosing to do without.
Don’t get me wrong. We spend money. But we also do not make a lot of it. But that is OUR CHOICE. Yes, I could maybe a get a higher paying job in the field I went to school for, but we have chosen as a couple, to focus our energy on youth ministry, which is my husband’s profession. We value doing ministry together, which would make it difficult for me to have a full-time job. That is also why I have chosen to start an organizing blog, so that I can work from home, along with working a part-time job. Organizing and living with less is something I have always been passionate about and I have always wanted to start my own business. It took a leap of faith, but I have not regretted it! It is our choice to live the life we live. And it is our choice to do without some of the things others choose to live life with.
Choosing to do without, makes time for what we do want. It frees us up to do what we want to do (without being obligated to something we really don’t want). For example, my husband and I highly value time together. Therefore, we are willing to spend a few extra bucks on a vacation to explore God’s creation and see the beauty of the world we have been given. But that also means we do not eat out very often, as we save those times for something special, like celebrations or vacations. We choose to not pack our schedule too full of activities (if we can help it) so that we can thrive and not merely survive. Choosing to do without, has helped us discover what really is most important in life.
Simple living may mean living without, but really are you missing out?
Come back tomorrow to find out what we do not spend our money on!
Ok! I've had to start this comment over three times because my tablet keeps freezing up, but I am determined to finish it to let you know how much I love your post and to encourage you in your walk and the work you are doing! Now that I've told "him" to GET BEHIND me, it's working just fine! You are a blessing and a light to the world! I am at a crossroads in my life, as my youngest is now in school and I have been a stay at home mom since the first was born, ten years ago. I had a lucrative career, but God has blessed us and given us everything we NEED and more since I've been home. Now I seek his will for my life! Do I continue to stay home and volunteer as I do now with PTO, and mostly church? My husband and I are both very involved on many levels in our church and with our youth. OR, do I use the degree and talents I have to go back into a full-time career to help my husband provide for our amity, save for kds' college, etc.?? I go back and forth and I pray about it but am still unsure of what God wants me to do. Any prayers and/or guidance welcomed and appreciated…
"family" not "amity"