Articles

It was the most difficult season of our married lives — big trial, uncertainty, no routine, and high stress. We had five children and had unloaded all the baby paraphernalia. We were tired, worried, confused, frustrated, and as stretched by and dependent on God as we ever had been.

So we thought.

The definition of living the “simple life” has changed over time.

According to the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, 1828 edition, it meant, “a manner of living in which a person does not own many things or use many modern machines and usually lives in the countryside.”

Sometimes my prayer times are smooth streams. Words flow easily from my burdened mind to God’s throne, and I feel a real sense of the Holy Spirit. 

Other times, my thoughts are as scattered as a class of preschoolers dismissed to recess. They’re everywhere, in no particular order, running in every direction, and jammed with distraction. 

If you knew me years ago, you would have seen someone with administrative and leadership gifts and very little room for grace. Although I would have always considered myself a compassionate person, I also lived by the letter of the law and expected everyone else to live the same way. I expected my children to do everything correctly and thought their outward behavior demonstrated that I was “doing it right” and was a good mother.…

Throughout our lives, we face many different types of trials and suffering, but unspeakable joy is ours with our Savior. Because He knows we need to grow in our faith and in godly character, He has told us He will walk with us as we will face many trials.