We live close enough to London that the speed with which Londoners live their lives trickles into the mentality of our village. Perfection and ‘getting it right’ pervade expectations. I am not a high achiever. I live a small life. A life of great importance, but only to a small amount of people. And that is how I like it.
My mum always said I was born in the wrong era, and never seemed to fit into this one. I hate the frenzy of today’s world and yet I fully believe God places an individual just where He wants them in space and time.
Over the past few weeks I have been dismayed at how far I have wandered from the life I believe God has for me. Yes, I am living near London during a time of great pressure. A pressure to succeed, to live big and dare I even say it….to live best. But best for whom? And who determines what is best any way?
‘That you also aspire to lead a quiet life…Mind your own business…And to work with your own hands…..as we commanded you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
There are three verses in the Bible which have always caught my attention of how I would like to live (1 Thessalonians, Titus 2 and Proverbs 31). For a long time they have been my life verses. They are probably the standard verses which speak to a lot of stay at home, home schooling mums. The first is the above verse, which reminds me to live a quiet life. Seriously, quietness for me is such a blessing; it calms my naturally frenetic mind and is balm to my soul.
The rest of this verse talks to me where I am right now. Minding my own business is an important reminder to me to focus on the work God has placed in front of me. I have been distracted lately. My heart, mind and soul has been away worrying about things I have no right to worry about. My goal this coming month is to focus on what is in front of me, that which God has laid at my feet.
I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. ~Helen Keller
I wonder if there is something in all of us which needs to matter. I love this quote by Helen Keller. Yes, I will determine to complete the humble tasks of parenting, of raising my children, loving my husband, keeping my house (no sniggering please 🙂 ) and loving those God brings into my life, and I will accomplish them as if they were great and noble tasks.
By nature, I am content. I am happy with lots of money 😉 but also just as happy with little. I have always considered my life to be enough. I take enormous pleasure in the simple things, and I have always felt so incredibly blessed by the people I am honoured to call my family and close friends. The last few weeks I had lost this joy. This week it has been slowly resurfacing as I have made a concerted effort to look for it in every situation.
I have held my children closer; cherished my little one’s wet, sloppy kisses; teased my teens and belly laughed with them; I have listened and smiled as the morning chorus of our garden birds have woken me at dawn as the sun peeps through the crack in my curtain and I have held hands with the man I adore. God’s word has spoken to me and washed over me like a waterfall on a balmy sunny day. I feel enveloped in His love. It is the simple things.
And it is here I end my pondering for today. This is my new life verse. To always encourage. To always build each other up. To always love. For that is where joy is to be found.
Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
All pictures are from The Graphics Fairy
I love this post. Beautiful words. Beautiful pictures.
Thank you x
Beautiful words…you spoke right into my heart.
<3
That Helen Keller quote is one of my all-time favourites; I actually have it on my fridge! Great post, Claire…….I think we all need to focus more on what is important to us and the people who matter to us.
Oooh, I might copy it out to put on my fridge…that’s a great idea!
I absolutely love this. I go through ruts, too, but it is posts like this that encourage me. Thank you!!!
I’m so pleased! Thank you x
Well done Claire, It is nice to know that some of us just want to live simply and not rush around. 🙂 love the quotes and photos you chose
Thank you Jenx
This is beautiful, and just what I needed today. I love your perspective.
Hello Mary! Thank you x
I love to read all your posts Claire as I unschooled my 15 year old son. We are also Christians and it is posts like this that speak to my heart and remind me that I am where I should be in my quiet simple life. Thank you for being such a blessing.
Oh, what a lovely comment. Thank you!
What a delightful post.
Blessings, Dawn
🙂
I love your new life verse, it is very appropriate for you (and I’d say you are using your blogging to build others up).
Thank you Ticia, that’s kind of you to say 🙂
Love your new beginning and life verse! Hold on to it tightly and it will bring forth an abundant harvest.
I will! xx
I perfect reminder for us all when we get going too frantically.
🙂
This is so true, and something I’ve been wrestling with over the past couple of months. I recently bought a little wooden plaque which says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the LORD” and have hung it in my bedroom so I see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It is a reminder to me that all work is good and worthwhile if done to God’s glory, even doing the washing up and cleaning out the cat’s litter tray. Even those…
Absolutely 🙂
Timely reminder for me – thank you, Claire.
🙂
I’m only catching up on your posts now that my company has flown away. This particular post truly speaks to all us homeschool mamas. You have done just what is one of your aims…to encourage. Thank you for this Claire.