I love old fashioned things, and I love doing things that are as simple and as close to nature as possible. I love:
- Cloth diapers blowing in the breeze on the clothesline
- Sewing clothing and other household items
- Homemade soap
- Making candles
- Homemade bread made with freshly ground whole-wheat flour
- Giving birth to my babies at home with a midwife
- Cooking from scratch
- Farm fresh eggs and milk
- Making my own butter
- Gardening
- Making my own cleaning solutions
- Quilting
- Making gifts for others
- Handmade cards and stationery
- Cutting my family's hair
- Growing and using herbs
- Making my own vanilla and other extracts
- Making herbal tinctures
- Canning and preserving food
I love all these things and more. They are things that I enjoy doing and some of them (like making soap) I hope to do in the future. But none of these things contribute to my salvation. Sometimes I have put so much emphasis on doing things a certain way that I think I attached a value to them that shouldn't be there. I think these are good and profitable activities, but when we begin to feel guilty for something like buying bread from the store or using disposable diapers, then it's clear that there is a misplaced value. When we look at someone we also have no idea where they are coming from and what challenges they have in their life. Also, something that didn't fit in our lives at one point may work better later (maybe as the children get older or we have different life circumstances). Let's give each other grace!
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."
~2 Thessalonians 3:18
~2 Thessalonians 3:18
17 comments:
what a great thought and so true it is! None of these frugal and wholesome things we do gain our salvation in Christ! I needed to hear that as sometimes I pride myself on doing things the old fashioned and natural way when it makes no better than the typical peers of my generation.
Love your blog and I am always encouraged!
In Christ,
Rebecca
What beautiful and wise words Joy!
I also enjoy doing old-fashioned things...but I also know that when I take those things and make them bigger in my heart, I have moved Our Lord out of His rightful place.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I pray that you are truly enjoying your new home.
M.
I love this post!
It is so lovely to read about someone who likes all the old fashioned home making tasks that I do as out in the "real" world people think I am crazy for making cards or sewing by hand.
I am still learning (I have a loooong way to go) but it is so much fun!
Angeljenuk
great post! I love all the same thing as you do and I do not feel guilty anymore when I get overwhelm with all that needs to be done to use a shortcut *ahem* lOL
I think I learn along the way to find a balance between everything, cloth diapers are wonderful but their is no shame i using disposable when needed, home cooked meal from scratch is my favorite thing to do, but in time of illness I'll be happy to warm up something made by someone else :-)
Thanks for sharing this post!
I couldn't agree more Joy. I too have done that many times. We all have gifts and the Lord shows us how to use them in the proper time.
I am still learning each day. ♥
Joy, you have said it so well. :) Thank you and I do hope you are feeling better today. ((Hugs)) Blessings dear friend!
Amen!
Dear Joy, this is a great post and I heartily agree with what you are saying! We absolutely need to extend grace at all times. And NOT compare! No need to slavishly replicate some-one else's ways or routines just to 'fit in' or be seen as a godly homemaker. We can all glean good ideas from each other, that's true! But it's important not to feel defeated because we don't do things exactly like Mrs So-and-So :-)
many blessings..Trish
Very wise words with much truth...thanks for sharing. We should be who we are and live by our own convictions and never judge another who does things in a different manner. God will guide us each by his Holy Spirit to do his will if we listen to his still small voice and obey....Christmas blessings to you and yours...Shelley
Thank you all so much for your thoughts on this! I so enjoyed hearing from each and every one of you! :)
MUCH wisdom there!!! There was a time after having 2 babies at home that I made homebirths my religion. Guess where my next one was born??? Yes, at the hospital with an epidural of all things!!! Our Lord does NOT want us to have other gods before him, does He?? I LOVED this post, and am going to share it with others!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you, Linda! I can relate to making home birth something bigger than it should be. It is so easy to let this happen in so many different areas. May we keep Him first.
Blessings to you!
Joy,
This post was simply beautiful! I think I have always known these truths, but to see them in print especially brings the point home.
Also, this is my first time visiting your blog, and I have sure enjoyed my visit. You are welcomed to visit my blog if you desire. :)
Blessings,
-Lady Rose
Joy, I love most of the same things you do, and find great joy in them. But you are so right that they do not contribute to our salvation nor make us any better than others.
Thank you both for your comments, Lady Rose and Mrs. Q!
This post struck a familiar chord, Joy . . . as I have experienced similar thoughts and feelings! Much of what was on the list of things that you mentioned are things that I would love to be able to do as well. Yet you bring up such a good reminder . . . it is not at all required to do these things to be a godly woman. In fact, they do not play a factor in that, but what the Lord desires of us is for us to walk in obedience to His word. What He is concerned about is our hearts and the fruit that is produced from our hearts . . . the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
Yes, things like this are wonderful to do, and they can bring glory to the Lord as we use these skills to love and serve our families, but they are not necessary. In that knowledge is freedom! And also the encouragement to seek after the 'higher things' first . . . loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Joy, as it was a blessing and encouragement to me. And a good reminder! Thank you!
Hi Sarah!
It seems that this is something that affects all of us in one way or another. Thank you for sharing your heart! :)
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