I grew up in a small town in Missouri with a thriving Amish Community outside of town. It was not uncommon for us to see buggies full of bearded men, women in long black or blue dresses and bonnets, and slews of adorable children. There were even hitching posts at the grocery store.
When I was little, my dad and I would go fishing at the ponds of some Amish families. I was enamered with the children, with their lifestyle. I was even jealous of them. I loved the farm life.
I've always craved that kind of simplicity in my life, but have rarely achieved it.
I am reading a book right now called
Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth. It is "one woman's quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life." It follows these philosophies:
- Homes are simple, uncluttered, and clean; the outside reflects the inside.
- Technology serves as a tool and does not rule as a master.
- Saving more and spending less bring financial peace.
- Time spent in God's creation reveals the face of God.
- Small and local leads to saner lives.
- Service to others reduces loneliness and isolation.
- The only true security comes from God.
- Knowing neighbors and supporting local businesses build community.
- Family ties are lifelong; they change but never cease.
- Faith life and way of life are inseparable.
Sounds peaceful, doesn't it? It's what I crave so much.
And then after I read the first two chapters, I was stressed. I realized how far I away I am from the goals I would like to attain. I can't do it all, and certainly not all at once. All any of us can do is pick out nuggets of inspiration from what we learn and then apply some of it to do a little better. Doing a little better all the time is what growth is really about anyway. So what has stuck out at me?
Home ~ Goodness gracious we have so much stuff! Right now the toys and clutter and piles are making me edgy and agitated! I want more order, and less to keep in order. I truly want to spend some time this summer getting some things cleaned out and getting rid of unnecessary stuff. Some things I would like to do are:
- Get a shelving unit to put in Eli's room that has baskets so that they can put all of their little toys in them. I used to try to keep all of their toys organized in tubs. But slowly the toys get all mixed up, brought downstairs and then they are everywhere! Right now Eli and Brynne each have about three tubs each at the foot of their beds, ON their beds. It drives me crazy! I would like to put that shelf with baskets in his room to hold all those toys, and then have one basket on each of their beds for their "NOW" toys. (Currently they each have a "NOW" bucket ... the toys they are playing with NOW. But that bucket has turned into two or three buckets each. It's overwhelming!
- Get a smilar shelving unit to put in the playroom upstairs. And then go through the playroom and get rid of those pieces they really just don't play with anymore, which is most of it. They concentrate mostly on blocks, dress up clothes, small action figures, and cars. (Brynne plays with her Barbies, makeup stuff, and stuffed dogs, but that is all stored neatly in her bedroom.)
- Each week this summer clean out one closet or cabinet and get them organized with containers. Then if I do that by Friday, I will reward myself with $20 to take shopping at garage sales. Yeah, I'll probably get more stuff, but I'm always just on the lookout for useful stuff or the next season's clothes or home decor to enhance what we already have. (The title of the book is Almost Amish, not I Am Now Amish. Baby steps).
Technology ~ I am addicted, and so is the world. I went to Eli's Awards Assembly at his school today. At one point I turned around and over HALF the adults present were staring at their iPhones. And this was while the awards were being presented. In fact, one mom sitting next to me was looking at Facebook when her son received the only award he received the whole day. She glanced up as he was walking off the stage and back to his seat. She smiled, clapped, and looked back down to Facebook. Hey, I was as bored as the next person. But if Eli were to turn around and look at me,
I wanted him to make eye contact with me and feel that he was the most important thing to me at that moment. In fact, I want my family to always feel like they are the most important things to me. But, I am sadly failing in this respect, as well.
I have changes in the technology department that I want to make, namely:
- I do not open my laptop or turn on my iPad until I have spent time with the Lord in the morning.
- When I am having a conversation with one of my family members, my laptop is shut and I am looking at them.
- I will CALL and talk to my husband, instead of just texting him. Of course, there are times during the day when a quick text is more appropriate so as not to disturb him too much. But, if we are going to have a conversation, I want us to do it with our voices and not our fingers.
This book has already pricked my heart in a couple of areas. My immediate reaction is, "I don't want to change." But, I do have some work that needs to be done. If I didn't, I wouldn't get so angry when I read some of those things.
I don't plan to don a bonnet, shut off my electricity, and ride only a horse. But, the simplicity of the Amish is something to be admired and appreciated. Let's face it ... they certainly have some things figured out.
