The basics

For some time now I have been drawn to the simpler things of life, wanting to make life less complicated and more simplistic, focusing on what really matters, slowing down the pace of life.

There are times I crave a log cabin with a fireplace, in the middle of nowhere with the people I love, no distractions like tv & computer, just focusing on family and friends and the Lord. A place where my kids could be creative, play outside, read and use their imagination. I want to have a garden that produces fresh produce, to eat whole, organic foods as much as possible. Maybe have a few chickens, cows...maybe I'm going a little out there, but it sounds great.

We have kind of gotten in to an 'entertain me' mode where they kids think they need a movie to watch or a computer game to play or they're bored. I love movies and would be lost without my computer, but sometimes the distractions they bring, I just want them to go away.

I don't ever want to get so caught up in the do, do, do and go, go, go of life that I don't spend the time I want with my friends and family. I want to learn to stop and be still, to purpose to spend time building a relationship with Jesus and with the people in my life.

My desire is to structure our schedules and our family life in such a way that we move closer together not further apart. That everything we do and get involved with brings us together.

I guess in my heart and my mind it really comes down to family. I want to be investing everything into things that bring our family closer together not further apart.
There are limitless things that fight for our attention and can distract us from what's important and I am just becoming more and more aware. They are not all bad things but it really is a battle and a fight to keep attention and focus on family, on what's important. It's a fight so worth fighting and I am excited to receive new strategy from the Lord on how to do this better and better.

All this thinking and fondness for the simple life brought back memories of reading the 'Love Comes Softly' series by Janette Oke. So, I am re-reading the series and thoroughly enjoying it! It is based on the stories of a family moving west and starting a new life. Even though they worked so hard to establish what they had, there was a simplicity about those times and a real closeness of family. At the end of the day, when the work was done, it was time for family, just family, no distractions. Sitting by the fire, talking and just 'being' together.

I feel like my soul is so happy and so at peace when my family is together and connected, it is just how it should be. I think that is why I love campfires and fireplaces so much because to me it represents love, closeness, connection, warmth, peace, it brings rest to my soul.

The 4 Him song keeps coming to mind 'The Basics of Life'

We’ve Turned the Page, For a New Day Has Dawned
We’ve Re-arranged What Is Right and What’s Wrong
Somehow We’ve Drifted So Far From the Truth
That We Can’t Get Back Home
Where Are the Virtues That Once Gave Us Light
Where Are the Morals That Governed Our Lives
Someday We All Will Awake and Look Back
Just to Find What We’ve Lost

We Need to Get Back
To the Basics of Life
A Heart That Is Pure
And a Love That Is Blind
A Faith That Is Fervently
Grounded in Christ
The Hope That Endures For All Times
These Are the Basics,
We Need to Get Back
To the Basics of Life

The Newest Rage Is to Reason It Out
Just Meditate and You Can Overcome Every Doubt
After All Man Is a God, They Say
God Is no Longer Alive

But I Still Believe in the Old Rugged Cross
And I Still Believe There Is Hope For the Lost
And I Know the Rock of All Ages Will Stand
Through Changes of Time

We Need to Get Back
To the Basics of Life
A Heart That Is Pure
And a Love That Is Blind
A Faith That Is Fervently
Grounded in Christ
The Hope That Endures For All Times
These Are the Basics,
We Need to Get Back
To the Basics of Life

Bridge
We’ve Let the Darkness Invade Us Too Long
We’ve Got to Turn the Tide
Oh and We Need the Passion That Burned Long Ago
To Come and Open Our Eyes
There’s no Room For Compromise

We Need to Get Back
To the Basics of Life
A Heart That Is Pure
And a Love That Is Blind