Bringing Balance in 2009

When we were younger with children at home, we experienced many challenging situations which seem to stimulate me to re-evaluate how we, as a family, were "doing life." Many of these choices had to fall into a less expensive way than our community, even our family we worshipped with.

My husband's salary wasn't large so we had to work within that budget which was small. We chose to do whatever we must for me to stay home for our children. To do this we didn't have many of the luxuries that most had. At times this was difficult as our children grew older. They never complained, if they suffered, they did so in their hearts.

All of these wonderful family enjoyments I've read about take time which seems to be meager these days. Everything vies for our time and families are stretched to meet time for all of the activities, not to mention money. When we made our decision to step off the treadmill that society had going, which seemed to be slowly increasing with time--now seems to be at breaknect speed. Do we dare to be different, do things a different way?

It's scary to think about, but we must first see that it's not working for family life. Then we need to move and  back away from our self, spirit, person and be an impartial observer. Pray and then with pencil in hand, make an outline. Pray and then see how things could be done differently giving more time, less friction, less money not comparing it with our friends and community. Maybe this can be done slowly or perhaps the change in our economy will nudge--or hurl--us into moving faster with our changes.

We have such a wealth of resources and good moderate weather for outside activities conducing to camping out, fishing etc. for the outdoors families. Search the libraries for ideas. I believe the children will, after a period of weaning off of the way everyone else does it, experience a fulfillment, satisfaction of their new way plus having parents who are not pressed beyond measure to perform and meet standards demanded by the treadmill. It can be done.

We play Scrabble games at family gatherings.  In the box are old score sheets from 20 years ago with names of relatives now deceased.  The memories live on!  Family walks are another treat:  down the street with the dogs or across the Lake Murray Dam.  We like star gazing too!  On the back porch with a candle-lit lantern.  It's one of those rare quiet spots.