A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

My Journey Towards Simplicity! Part 1

My husband and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary this past weekend. It always causes me to think back and reflect on how far we’ve come. More specifically, how far I’ve come.

We started our life out in a 2 bedroom 1 bath duplex. Simplicity to me was making a meal that came from a can or a box and sending my child off to school while I would do nothing but read a book all day. Yeah, my homekeeping skills needed some serious work, but so did my priorities.

But God wasn’t through with me (thank goodness). Slowly but surely my eyes were opened and steady changes started to take place.

After 3 years we moved to a house very close to the beach. When we moved in, there was this foreign object in the back yard. I think they called it a “clothes line” or something. *wink* Well I couldn’t wait to rip that thing out of the yard. I mean after all they invented the dryer to make my life easier right? Yuuup!

*Remember SLOW and STEADY changes were happening*

We were there for 12 years and in those 12 years I learned how to plan and make more nutritious meals, from SCRATCH! The trigger was when I started reading labels and learning about preservatives and stuff. From that point on I worked very hard to figure out how to cook better. Thus began my love affair with cooking and eating healthy. Thank you Lord!

But God knew we wanted more. Not more as in “things” more but more as in being more self sufficient. (More on that in part 2) So in God’s timing we were able to move from the beach over to the mainland to an acre of land out in a little bit more of a country setting.

One of the first things I noticed when we moved in was this thing hanging on the side of the house.

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I’m not kidding when I tell you I had no idea what it was, neither did my hubby. I thought it was a dog run or something. But my BFF came over and was like, “No, silly. That’s a retractable clothes line.” Of course it is. Pffft, I knew that. (or not) I love that the Lord has a sense of humor.

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I’m pretty sure it was Him giving me a second chance at what He knew I’d fall in love with; line drying my clothes. You can read about how much money I saved doing it here. There is just something very calming and therapeutic about line drying clothes. Do I do it exclusively? No. Sometimes time won’t allow or it’s raining etc. But when I can, I do.

Even in the past week God has given me eyes to see and a heart that has changed. More on that in Part 2.

OXOX,

Kim

 

7 comments:

  1. Hi Kim, Congrat's on all your growth over the years! I love how the Lord gently teaches us; when we got married I relied so much on processed, frozen foods but over the years have gone to nutritious meals. I haven't done a clothesline myself-but may have my hubby put one up. I know it is so much better on the clothes and fabric too.
    Thanks for sharing dear friend.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  2. I love you my wife! I am amazed at what God has done in you over the years. Signed "Hubby"

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  3. Happy anniversary! We are all a work in progress. It is funny how our priorities change as we start making God's Word a priority in our lives. It really is astounding when I think back to the way my hubby and I lived when we were first married.

    Have a wonderful day! Jackie

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  4. Thank you for this! Its such a great reminder of how God has changed my life and heart for Him. I guess there is progress! :)

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  5. Congrats! I pray you will be blessed with many, many, many more years of love, laughter and memories!!!!!

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  6. Nice post my friend! I did know that was for a clothesline. My grandmother hung clothes out to dry in the backyard - we used to help. Of course then we'd play by running through all the sheets hanging. Hmmm...wonder if they were still clean after that - LOL!

    Big simple-is-super size hugs to you!! Love ya friend!! Look at me - gettin' all caught up on my comments! Now life can move on. :D

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