Randy and I have different lives here than we have ever had before. We have lived 1/2 block off the ocean. We did the subdivision, suburban life in the South. We’ve traveled, slept in, partied, ate seafood, swam in the ocean, walked on the beach, and spent our weekends shopping and eating out. The winters were mild and we kept a tan nearly year round.
Our life now is not quite as “typical.” We now live on a farm which includes sheep, chickens, and llamas along with our crew of rescued dogs and cats. Our days start around 4:00 am and the end of the day varies according to the season. We don’t sleep in, unless you count 6:00 am as sleeping in. Our seafood comes from a shop over an hour away and only on occasion do to the cost and distance. There is no ocean and are no beaches within a days drive. We try to shop second hand and seldom eat out.
This time of year we long for the beach. We long to pack up our car for an unplanned roadtrip to Nashville, the Gulf, or Myrtle Beach.
It isn’t so easy to just pack up the car and drive away without a care in the world.
We have lots of animals that count on us to take care of them.
And we would miss out on this if we hadn’t traveled down this path.
What would have happened to her?
Or him?
Our these girls?
Or this little cutie?
Our lives may not be glamorous.
Our lives are sometimes hard physically and emotionally.
But it is worth it! It does matter!
We may not get to see the world. We may not even get to see our country in its entirety. Or stick our toes in the sand while the ocean water covers our feet whenever we want.
We just have to remind ourselves from time-to-time that our life here does matter and has made a difference to someone. I’m writing this post for myself. For the times when I feel like I am missing out on life by being here. Life is what and where you make it. I read a verse in the Bible the other night that reminded me of that:
Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I’ll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are. Help me to prefer obedience to making money! Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you. Reassure me that your promises are for me, for I trust and revere you.
Pslams 119:33-37
It isn’t always easy to be content with your life…God’s word once again brought me back to where I needed to be. To live the life we were called to live and find joy in the lives others live that are different from our’s and seemingly more exciting or life changing. The places they travel, the daily freedoms they enjoy, the mission trips, adopting, whatever it may be, and remember we are all here for different reasons. We all have our place as long as we are here. Our’s may not be the same as the next person, but it is our’s to live out joyfully.
I hope everyone can look at their lives and see your life, no matter how routine and humdrum it may seem, is important and making a difference in some small (or big) way and find joy in it. I have had to do that recently.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day! God bless.
A Simple Prairie Life 