The Simple Life

As I was reading a list of accomplishments of the CEO of the company I work for, I thought, “Wow!” Then it was almost as if I immediately compared to where I am today, and thought something along the lines of basically, “Well, in due time.” Then I realized I had read his age, and he is only around ten years older than I am! Now, granted, a lot can happen in ten years, but these accomplishments did not happen over a ten-year period. The realization of this hit me; and almost instantly, it also hit me that, “ I — WAS A MOM!” {A Stay-at-Home-Mom}

It was a decision that, even at a young age, I felt very strongly about. It took a ‘little’ longer for my husband to get fully on board because we knew the money would be tight. I tried working a few times when my firstborn was small, but felt the same each time.

Now, all these years later, and working at the same bank where I tried working when my oldest was two (but only lasted four months), I have to say it has crossed my mind as to where I might be on the corporate ladder if I had stayed there all those years. Before I left, they had offered me a job two days per week answering the phones with one other lady. We now have a full-blown call center!

If you read my book posted here entitled, “Celebrate the Finish,” you will know that I did return to college after our second-born was in fourth grade. I became a public school teacher and taught for six years. That is another story; however, it is related here…

Climbing the ladder of success and being (over-)ambitious is not always all it’s cracked up to be. We see it highly elevated in conversations and movies and schools…especially the “Wonder Woman”—Do-it-All Mom.

I think it’s worth taking a moment to ask yourself, “What is motivating me?” I still think in my case, I had something I wanted to prove…to myself and others. I still had that pride and ambition that pushed me to prove I could do it…whatever “IT” was, that only seemed to grow as I became more aware of and compared myself to others.

In case your definitions need a refreshing:

Pride: a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

Ambition: an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment:

It’s easy to see how the two go hand-in-hand, and can be strong motivators that can easily lead to stress and anxiety. I don’t regret my decision to go back to school because I have no doubt God used that in ways I could not have imagined. (That, too, is another story—perhaps another day?!?)

I’m not here to determine if what you are pursuing or seeking should or should not be; but I am here to encourage you to remember that seeking to love and elevate God and others, sometimes might mean taking a place in the shadows behind the scenes. Life is not all about success as in the approval of man here on earth. Success in the sight of God is the kind that will be celebrated throughout eternity.

If we are willing to step back and lift others (including our spouses), then if God brings earthly success, it will be fulfilling rather than depleting; and used for His glory.

I think that far too often in today’s society, the role of a wife supporting her husband behind the scenes—even being submissive to a loving husband is not as glamorous or elevated as we see in Proverbs, chapter 31…A wife’s life done right is to be highly admired.

““There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!””
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When family roles are reversed, or mixed up from what God intended, we shouldn’t be surprised when the home and family suffer, and heartache and confusion follow.

“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [emphasis mine] For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:21-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It has taken me many years to recognize the true value that lies in these words—and to even begin to execute them as I should. We sometimes elevate the modern woman to a place so high that the stress involved in obtaining and maintaining can take a toll on the overall quality of life and family. That is not to say that there is not a place for a successful woman— or one who is well-kempt. Finding the right balance for you; being truly honest with yourself; and keeping God first, surrendering to Him, and letting Him lead is the crucial key. It may involve saying no to yourself or others, and setting aside time to simply spend time with/on others.

I said all that to say this…
There is something to be said for the simple life. Celebrate the person God created you to be. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to be someone you are not—or trying to make a name for yourself—or prove something. Maybe being the support for your husband and kids is the simple life you will be fulfilled in embracing.

Now my kids are grown; the money is less tight; I have a part time job with an old friend, and new coworkers that I enjoy; I can shop more often with more flexibility…but I have found that I still love with a deep sense of contentment the comforts of my simple home and the simple life.

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P.S. In case you are wondering…I have zero regret for taking that time with those ‘youngins’ when I did. If they are successful and serving God, then I was successful in my goal to be a part of that.

P.P.S. I still have some hopes and dreams, but I want to keep them surrendered and accept God’s timing when or if they come to fruition; pursue for the right reasons; and accept that God knows best…and I truly celebrate all of the simple pleasures He has already given me in this life! If I never received any additional, I am beyond blessed!