Conviction about skirts only

If you have followed me very long you probably have read some of my articles about modesty or skirt wearing. A few years ago God convicted me to wear skirts only and yes, I fought Him on it for awhile. Once I realized the only reason I wasn't wearing them full time was because of what others would think, I gave in and went full time. I did that for quite awhile, maybe a year or two, I can't quite remember. During that time we switched churches, now mind you neither church we attended were skirts only. Our old church lacked quite a bit in the modesty area which I feel was one reason God led me to skirts only, to stand out as an example. Our new church is very modest (with the exception of a couple ladies) and I started slacking on my skirts, wearing pants and jeans sometimes. Then I went back to wearing jeans, capris and long shorts when I wanted, not being skirts only at all. I have to say that I have wrestled with this issue greatly over the last year or so. I constantly went back and forth, should I really be skirts only or can I be modest in pants and such. I would literally go back and forth. Oh, I should note that dh has always supported my choice but we do not feel it is a command to wear skirts only, however we believe it is more modest. Dh let me work this out on my own. Finally last week I spent a great deal of time praying about it and talking it over with God (again). I realized I was once again not wearing skirts full time because of what others would think; that is just wrong. I am to follow God's conviction in my life and not be concerned with what others think, except my dh of course. So, I purposed to go skirts only with the exception of at rodeos or certain, specific times when jeans would be more functional. That is just my conviction in this area. I also sat my children down and discussed all of this with them and asked to help me be accountable, not to slip back into the habit of wearing jeans and such. I know that this issue is a personal conviction, but if you would like to read more of my journey, I have several posts about it. You can look under the label modesty or look here and here.

Blessings,
Rashel

Making do with less "stuff"

As I mentioned in my last post, while camping at the lake I realized I can probably make do with alot less stuff. Recently we have decluttered and reorganized a couple rooms in our home and it made me realize how much easier it is to keep those rooms picked up and clean- because they have less stuff. So I am on a mission over the next week or so to see how much I can declutter from my home. My plan is to box up alot of the things that I always think I need, but seldom use and then store them in my new shed. After a few months I will evaluate what I actually missed and would have used and what was just taking up room. I will try to update you with my progress as I go and with the results after a few months. I know my bedroom and my kitchen definitely need some decluttering. Anyone else been decluttering lately, if so, let me know how it is going for you. If you haven't been, but think you need to, then jump in with me for the next few weeks and let's simplify our lives a little with less clutter.

Blessings to each of you,
Rashel

*edited to add that I will be offline for a few days. Please feel free to comment anyway as I would love to read them when I get back online. I also have some posts scheduled for while I am away. Blessings!

Are you too busy making your life "better" that you forget to live?

I realized some things this week while on a mini spur of the moment vacation. The kids and I left Monday and headed for the lake to meet my Dad and Stepmom who had been down there since Friday. We intended to stay Monday afternoon and evening and come back later on Tuesday afternoon. (dh was out of town on business) We were having such a good time that we all decided to stay an extra day and didn't come back until today. It kind of struck me today that sometimes I get so caught up in trying to make the healthiest foods or doing things around the house that are supposed to be "better" for us, that it takes up so much of my time and energy that I don't have time to actually live my life. What good is a healthier diet if it causes me to be too busy to play with my kids? What good is a clean house if it causes me to be irritable toward my husband? Does making biscuits from scratch make enough difference that I should feel guilty if we just pop open a can of them instead?  I know it is important to eat as healthy as we can, but it isn't worth losing my joy. I know that having a clean home is important and being a good steward, but it is not my top priority.  I know I am responsible for my home and my children and should do the best I can for both, but sometimes that means opening a box of cereal for breakfast, having a bologna sandwich on store bought bread for lunch and a frozen pizza for dinner so that I have time to take joy in my children, my husband and my home.  I encourage you to do the best you can, but PLEASE do not feel guilty during those times when you choose the "less healthy" way. If you don't have time to live your life, I challenge you to re-examine your priorities.

Another thing I realized while camping this week, I can make do with alot less stuff! However, I think I will save that for another post. Just ponder on my thoughts above for now.

Blessings,
Rashel