Tough times...it seems to be a common thread in many of our discussions today. Topics of job loss, cut wages, lay-offs and downsizing can be a pattern interrupt to the concept of the daily grind. If you've ever experienced any of these life altering events, the daily grind doesn't seem so bad, eh? Everything in perspective (:
We all know leaner times are at hand for many of us...it happens. When the tide rolls in, it must also roll back out to the sea. Nothing ever stays the same, which is a good thing. It gives us the opportunity to discover hidden treasures left behind by the constant movement of waves as they crash the shores of life over and over again. We have just gone through this ebb and flow period ourselves and find our income reduced by 75%. The "old me" would have panicked at the thought of such a thing, especially during Christmas, but the "wiser me" has been filled with thoughts of abundance.
Now, I have to be honest...my first response was a bit in the realm of frazzled nerves, but it soon gave way to comfort in the hands of a loving God who knows our every need. He's taken care of us so far...why would He drop the ball now? (:
This journey of simplicity over the last year has been a great teacher. Being thankful for the many blessings already present, learning how to prepare a whole foods pantry, reducing debt and expenses, making things instead of rushing out to purchase new items, buying used and saving the difference, repairing instead of tossing, creating handmade treasures, cherishing time spent at home, streamlining products to make sure they pull double-duty, appreciating the art of frugality, letting go of things to honor what really matters, getting rid of clutter to make room for new ideas and possibilities...all of these things have created such an air of abundance that lack can't even enter the space (:
So if you find yourself in tough times, take heart and know that many of us are traveling right beside you on this journey. It might seem as if your world is crashing in around you, but just put one foot in front of the other and move forward no matter how devastating it may feel. Keep your eyes open because possibilities abound to those who think outside of the box. Don't allow your current circumstances to overwhelm the blessings that are waiting to be discovered. When we operate in thankfulness and have gratitude in our hearts, it opens the door to abundance.
This Christmas will be a simple one, but isn't that really the way Christmas should be celebrated? Sad to say these days the focus tends to be on the gifts, food and fun times instead of abundant thankfulness for the greatest gift of all...Jesus. Over the next two weeks I'll bring you into our home to show how we're choosing to celebrate this year...decorating, gift giving, organizing, etc. Hopefully our simple, frugal Christmas will inspire and encourage others to seek out a different way of embracing the holidays...a way that allows abundance to shine forth, even in tough times (:
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