Peaceful Living

Good morning, dear ladies!  I have been up early because I heard rain sweetly dropping on a flower pot outside and now I must see it, even in the dark. I love every melodic splash!  As I said in the previous post, I find that the weather does not dampen my mood if I create a sunshine atmosphere in my home. 

Anxiety pushes out peacefulness, and many a lady at home has felt a knot in her stomach over news reports, threats on the family income, a cruel accusation, troublesome neighbors, and the occasional unspiritual church member who wants to disturb others.  And yet, Jesus said we would be "anxious for nothing."  How can we have a peaceful life if something is always pushing to upset us at home?  Many ladies have found that to memorize portions of scripture can replace those thoughts of upheaval.  

People spend a good portion of their time outside the home waiting for something: waiting in line or sitting in a waiting room. Nagging worries and pressures can enter their minds, and this is the perfect time to silently recite a meaningful passage of scripture. Rather than repeating one verse several times, it is possible to memorize a passage of some length. The important thing is that it has meaning for you, individually, and that it gives you peace of mind.

Peaceful living can be acquired by paying attention to small things, like the sounds (wind in the trees, ocean waves, raindrops, music) or details that appeal to the senses such as scents and sights.  When a lady at home is sensitive to these things, she can encourage peaceful living.

One of the scriptures on peaceful living is found in Romans 12:1-21. Part of the  chapter shows a number of habits and attitudes to adapt into your life, and then concludes: 

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

Romans 12:18

Mature ladies will want to seek peaceful living both at home and outside the home. They know that their peacefulness will attract others to their message of the Biblical home. The chapter (12) shows in detail how to attain that peacefulness.

Because  some people will not develop the desire for peaceful living, they will cause disturbances. A lady at home can develop a peaceful demeanor and not allow the war-like people to rattle her or cause her to lose her composure. This takes some training, which we may discuss in another post. Just remember the Rudyard Kipling Poem, "If", and this phrase: If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs...."  This is the key to peaceful living.  

 Wreckers tear down things and never leave a thing in this world to be looked on with fondness. Peaceful people accomplish things. They build things, whether it be physical structures or lifetime relationships.

I appreciate my blog readers and the true friendship they show to me and other bloggers. I know they are lovers of peace and yet they can protect their homes and blogs  from the unpleasant attacks of those who seek to destroy. 

In closing, here is a poem for you:

The Builder Vs. the Wrecker

I watched them tearing a building down---

A gang of men in a busy town:

With a "Ho heave ho!" and a lusty yell,

They swung a beam and the side wall fell.

I asked the foreman: "Are these men skilled,

And the kind you'd hire, were you to build?"

He laughed and said,: "Why no, indeed;

Just common laborers is all I need:

They can easily wreck, in a day or two

What has taken the builders years to do."

So I said to myself as I went on my way:

What part in the game of life do I play?

Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan,

Carefully measuring with a rule and a square,

Patiently doing the very best I can;

Or am I a wrecker--who walks the town--

Content with the labor of tearing down?

(author unknown)

I have had a great deal of new visitors lately and I would love it if you would leave a comment!  

The Christian Lady and Contentment

                                      

Flowers in a Vase by Egal.

To be content means to be patiently satisfied in life. The opposite of contentment is dissatisfaction, complaints, lack of appreciation, unhappiness and troublemaking.  Contentment is a New Testament command for everyone in the body of Christ:  men and women, children and adults.  The apostle Paul defined contentment perfectly when he said, "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  Philippians 4:11 

As all who have studied the Acts of the Apostles have learned, Paul endured many hard times (shipwreck, imprisonment, being a stranger away from home,  peril among his own brethren) as well as times of success, peace and prosperity.  He had learned to be content, as described in this passage:

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13.

Contentment has several meanings, and the one that I am addressing here is defined in the 1828 dictionary as follows:

CONTENT, adjective [Latin , to be held; to hold.] Literally, held, contained within limits; hence, quiet; not disturbed; having a mind at peace; easy; satisfied, so as not to repine, object, or oppose.

Example: "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content."1 Timothy 6:8.

Lack of contentment creates unhappiness, and results in jealousy, hatred, false accusations, complaining, resentment, and anxiety, which have no part in the life of a truly Christian lady. Such things destroy love, goodness and gentleness that Christian women need to acquire.

What contentment is not: complacency, laziness, lack of  Biblical self-improvement, refusal to learn important things that will benefit her family and her personal life as a Christian. Contentment does not mean a person can be satisfied with things that are mediocre. A lady will always encourage her family to become excellent in character, skills and talents. She will not be content to allow rudeness or meanness in herself or her home.  She always looks for ways to glorify God. If her appearance or manners need polishing, or her homemaking needs more excellence, she will desire improvement.

Roses by Egal

Now that the Biblical and dictionary references to contentment have been laid out, let us see the circumstances in which a Christian lady may be content:

-Content at home with her family. One lady I know is living between homes, temporarily in a tent while her family finds their next residence. She has decided to be content, so every day she takes time with her personal appearance and clothing, and prepares her tent as though it were a real home. She sets her table and places some wildflowers in a jar as a centerpiece.  I have known of other ladies who have had to live in circumstances that were not ideal, who cheerfully made comfortable dwellings in unfortunate circumstances. A woman has a natural homing instinct, and if she nurtures it, she will be able to make life better wherever she is. She could blame her husband and resent her children in these conditions but instead she gives them stability and reassurance with the example of her personal contentment. She may not be thrilled or overjoyed with life as it is at the moment,  but she has learned the advantages of contentment. She will overcome any feelings of restlessness by looking for things that need to be done at home or by studying. ( 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Timothy 2:15) 

Photograph by Egal

-Content with the weather.  I do not suppose there is any perfect climate on earth. Even those in tropical climes are discontent and have problems due to the weather. To be content with disappointing weather, ignore what is going on outside and create a good spiritual and physical climate inside your house. Your own demeanor and contentment will greatly aid in reaction to the weather, cold or hot.  It is a matter of mind-over-matter and focusing on other things. I have known ladies who used inclement weather to seek new knowledge, paint pictures, write books, plan landscaping, and improve their skills at home.

-Content with illness.It is easy to be anxious when you are confined to bed or limited in your physical abilities, but a lady can be content to do a little bit here and there in the home to fulfill her duty to be a keeper at home. Even ladies who are aging can find creative ways to make a house a home. One person I am acquainted with amazes me with the love and concern she has for her home, while suffering from a chronic illness. When sitting in a chair, she reaches to the side-tables, wipes the tops with a cloth she keeps handy, and arranges the items on it in a pleasing way.  She believes her health improves as she reduces clutter and disorder in her home. She reaches out to others through card-making and sending mail that includes her church bulletin. She reads a great deal and paints little pictures. She does not allow herself to dwell too much on her infirmities. She is content. 

- Content with troubles. As jealousies, accusations and criticisms will be directed toward her from time to time throughout her life, the Christian lady learns not to panic or react in anger or retaliation. Her trust in the care and protection of Christ brings her personal contentment. She knows that the best way to win others to her beliefs is to live them.  She realizes that some people behave in ignorance and need to know the way of The Lord more perfectly. She knows she cannot solve the troubles of the world, but commits it all to prayer. She quietly allows some matters to die down.

Photo by Egal

-Content in the body of Christ.  There will always be less mature people in the church who will convince women that they should not be content with their Biblical responsibilities to be faithful, to study, to extend hospitality, to be content to be homemakers. They convince women that they are being given an unfair deal. Women begin to want to take over the leadership duties that God gave to the men. If they would improve life at home and be content, they would have no desire to usurp other people's roles in the church.

 A Christian lady who wants to "do more" in the church can always take the examples of women like Dorcas in Acts 9:39, who sewed for the poor, or Lydia in Acts 16:15 who extended hospitality to a minister.  Women who lack contentment with their role at home are likely be discontent at church. They often have no understanding of the Biblical nature of the church and are weak in basic doctrinal issues. This weakness makes them spiritually empty, so they seek social change and upheaval in the church, trying to void their discontent.  They may spread this to others, causing trouble at home and in the church, in business outside the home and other places. Discontent brings on many unnecessary troubles.

Hopefully you can see how the attitude of personal malcontent can damage relationships at home and in the church. Lack of contentment has lost many a man an important job and jeapardized the family's financial stability. Lack of contentment in a woman can often be a neglect of her personal responsibilities at home, resulting in fewer home comforts.

To overcome discontent, find ways to get around obstacles and unhappiness. Figure out how to do things. Substitute an accomplishment for a discouragement and observe how your contentment grows.

 Lack of  contentment discredits the word of God. Ladies at home are to be keepers at home "that the word of God be not blasphemed." 

   To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. - Titus 2:5

Knowing that contentment is desired by our great King, The Lord Jesus Christ, should inspire the desire and determination to learn how it may be acquired and to practice it. It takes self control to be content, and that means replacing nagging feelings of discontent with positive feelings of gratitude.  It means applying character qualities such as creativity and diligence to your personality.

There is more to being content than gaining a feeling of peace or learning to be patient with the common circumstances in life. Contentment gives personal dignity to the Christian lady and increases her credibility. She brings honor to her husband as she appreciates his role in life as a provider and protector. Discontent discredits the husband and the home.  A contented lady has less anxiety and is less likely to create problems for others at home and in the church.  Her bearing and demeanor will bring glory to God and be a good testimony of her spiritual nature as she seeks to absorb the Word of God contained in the scriptures, in her life. 

The contentment verses in the Bible show us without a doubt how greatly God loves his children, for he wants them to be content. They enemy would have us filled with anxiety and selfish ambition, while God's word reassures us of The Father's care for us. 

Click here to print this.  If you have a post on your blog about contentment, please leave it in the comments or email me and I will be glad to add your link on this article.

Lori Alexander has a contentment post called "Learning Contentment at Home."

Photo by Egal

Hymn: A Place of Quiet Rest

Please enjoy the song and the beautiful scenery, and have a lovely Lord's Day!
If you leave the video on, other songs will automatically play, and many of them are familiar tunes. It is likely you will see scenes in these videos from your own country or state.

Here is one for your children:

Rich in Love and Good Works

Welcome, Dear Ladies. Thank you for accepting my invitation to visit my home today via the internet.

Lady Carlyle from Royal Albert

Please find a comfortable place to sit back and relax, and let us enjoy each other's company as we share our common beliefs.

Table arrangement from Victorian Trading Co.

The scriptures have some important things to say about what richness really is. One of them is contained in  1 Timothy 6:18.

" That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; "

When a lady takes the time to put special touches in her home, she is saying that her permanent guests (her loved ones) are important. When she is careful to teach what is good and points her family to whatever is lovely, she is also gifting them with a good work. Homemaking is a good work, and it creates a personal wealth of happiness and love.

Wicker from Victorian Trading Co.

Being rich in good works is part of home life, for the lady of the house establishes many of the principles that her family will espouse.  One of the easiest ways to create a habit of good works is in cooperating together to keep the home orderly enough to function in. It shows thoughtfulness when someone puts their own things away and looks after themselves so as not to leave work for others. Mothers do a lot more than they realize when they teach their children to put things away.

Tea Set from Victorian Trading Co.

Creating a meal is also a "good work" in the home. The Bible records many instances where a meal was served. They homey touch to meals is something unique, for there can be as many styles of meal service and as many flavors and recipes as their are ladies willing to prepare them.  To create a special collection of family recipes is a wonderful gift for future generations, not to mention guests.

Floral Napkins From Victorian Trading Co.

The home can be a center for love and good works. A lady at home need never feel alone, even when all others around her are not at home, for she will have a wealth of things to do for her family and others. One of the things I get the most joy from is creating a little package for someone when I am able to do it and to afford it. A package may contain a package of pretty napkins, a slender little book, a pink pen and some pretty decorated paper (using rubber stamps or freehand art), a letter wrapped in ribbon, a scented candle or something personal.  

Cottage From Allposters.com

One of my happiest recollections is the day we moved into a house. There we were with everything a shambles, no beds put together, and very little furniture; not even a dining set.  A lady from the church came by with a folding table and chairs and set up an afternoon tea for us in our bare, echoing living room. She even brought the teacups and the hot water. 

Years later we were again in a shambles, as we were painting the walls of the living room, and this same lady dropped by unannounced. She usually likes to have a cup of tea.  I made hot tea for her and all I could find to go with it was saltine crackers and cheese, but oh how lovely it all tasted as we sipped and talked outside. 

New Country Roses Dinnerware from Royal Albert

Being rich in love and good works can also include having a sympathetic heart toward someone who has endured a hardship, or complimenting someone.  

Please leave a comment to share some ways  you have been the recipient  of love and good works or some creative ways you know of being rich in love and good works from your home.

Today's Invitation

                     

                           Above: New Country Roses from Royal Albert, also available at Lovely Whatevers.

Hello, Dear Ladies.  Today I would like to invite you for a little lesson with points on ways to be happy at home.  So, get out your finest cup and plate and pour your favorite flavor of tea.  I find a nice cup helps improve the mood and encourages a sense of optimism and contentment. Do not hesitate to find a set with a design and color that makes you smile.

                      

                                                     Above: Magnolia Hall Catalog

Then, please come and sit a spell in my living room and share some pleasantries.

Here are some  ways to create motivation and happiness at home:

1. Avoid envy of other people's homes, their salaries, their careers,  their talents, their education and their good successes in life. Remember that the success of other people means they will be less likely to become a burden on others and be more able to help others. Forget about what anyone else is doing. For now, focus on improving yourself and your home. 

2. Appreciate all that you have.  Make a list of your possessions, noting who gave them to you or how and why you acquired them, and you will be overwhelmed with how much you have that enhances your home life.  

3. When worried about something, clean out a drawer or a shelf, sort a box of things, and make a giveaway box.  If every time you have bad news you use it as a signal to do something positive in your home, you will see improvements all around you and it will lift your soul immensely.

                        

                                              Above: Lady Carlyle from Royal Albert

4. Do something pretty for yourself every day, whether it be improving your appearance or having a quiet time in your favorite chair with a nice book. Remember that every day is a precious gift. Once over, it  cannot be relived, so make the best of it as far as it is within your own power.

5. Do something elegant for your home every day: a flower arrangement from real or silk flowers, a new cloth for a table, a fragrant meal in the slow-cooker, a pretty pillow for your bed, or a seasonal wreath on the door.

                        

                                                 Above: Polka Blue from Royal Albert

6. Divorce yourself from the "petty gossip of the county" (a quote from Elizabeth Gaskells book, Wives and Daughters.")  to accomplish this, become absorbed in your home life and find ways to acquire new knowledge of skills that will enhance your life at home. Refuse to live the old life but walk in the new, as the Bible teaches. 

7. Homemakers should exude love and hospitality to their families.  Grudges and tale-bearing and any kind of resentment can crowd out the Holy Spirit and can harm your digestion, your sleep, your blood pressure and give you ill health.  Opt for good health by keeping a song in your heart and gratitude in your mind. If tempted to hate someone, think instead of all the good things they have done that have benefited you and others.  

8. To use another quote from Wives and Daughters: "Moderate your tone, dear!" Snippy, sharp replies are not becoming to a lady and do not exemplifiy understanding, maturity or patience.  Too much of this kind of tension can result in sleeplessness and breathlessness.  Take good care of yourself by moderating your responses.

I notice how other homemakers blogs achieve some of these things by sharing pictures of what they are doing,  and writing of the way they have overcome obstacles to their goals. If you do not blog, try a journal in which you record one positive thing each day, along with a bright illustration using a clipping or scrapbook art, sticker, etc.  Let these things dominate your life instead of suspicion and criticism. 

Finally,  Colossians 3:16    "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

It is time for me to get busy and do my daily work here at "The Manse". I hope you will participate in this chat when you have a moment, and share your thoughts and ideas.

Lately I have noticed from my stats some guests are enjoying this old post on the subject of frugality.

I guess instead of calling it "an old post" should refer to it as a historical piece, which sounds a lot more eloquent. 

Also I am delighted to see more visitors from Oregon than usual this month, including Portland, Salem, Eugene, Monroe, Corvallis, Molalla, Halsey, Veneta, Lebanon, Hood River, The Dalles, Dallas, Tualatin, Roseburg, Prineville and Bend!  I certainly appreciate your readership and hope that the things on this blog bless you and make your day worthwhile! And I hope that many of you are me embers of the Lord's kingdom. Please leave a comment or email me! If you are visiting for the first time, please remember to view the reader comments by clicking on the post title. Thanks to all of you who leave such nice remarks.

Prayer

                                 

At this time let us remember that government exists as a servant of the people and of God. 

Pray for them so that the people can have a quiet and peaceful life, free to be Christians:

1Ti 2:1    I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1Ti 2:2    For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1Ti 2:3    For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1Ti 2:4    Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We at home have a great influence. Thank you all for the things you do to make the home strong and home life pleasant.

Be sure to click on comments, to read what other ladies have to say, for they have a wealth of valuable insights.  If you click the title of the post,  comments will automatically appear.

The Christian Lady and Discretion

    

This is a post brought to you by popular request from readers. It is also available in bulletin form to print, which I will include at a later time. This post is not talking about any particular person, but when we read the Bible instructions to women, it is personal.

The book of Proverbs talks about discretion and how it applies to women: Proverbs 11:22. Discretion has been described as a quality of appropriate speech and behavior.  One dictionary defines it in the following way:

1. 1.

   the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.

   "she knew she could rely on his discretion"

   synonyms:

   circumspection, carefulness, caution, wariness, guardedness; tact,tactfulness, diplomacy, delicacy, sensitivity, prudence, judiciousness

Some of the same letters that spell the word "discreet" make up the word "secret" which is one of the meanings of discretion. A lady keeps some things to herself and does not reveal everything people have told her.

A lady who is truly concerned about spiritual things will be discreet. It means to understand  when to say things and what is nappropriate to do or say in any given situation. In what we call mixed company, some topics of a personal nature are not appropriate to discuss. 

Being discreet shows love and thoughtfulness, as it protects other people from rumors and invasion of their privacy.

Learning to be discreet may involve making some "do and don't" rules to remember, and analyzing situations in order to learn to "hold your tongue". Yet, it should eventually become a matter of keeping your record clean before The Lord by being courteous.

In an era where the culture around us does not blush at "tell-all" discussions, the Christian lady must be guided by scripture and not by the popular trends. Sometimes social media defies the quality of discretion, as people reveal every personal detail they can about themselves and other people. The Privacy of others is often invaded.

An 1828 Dictionary describes discretion as:

1. Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.

The opposite of discretion is heedless, mindless, casting all caution to the wind, or carelessness. The indiscreet woman is described as follows:

Proverbs 11:22    As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

It is a blessing to be attractive, but if a woman is not refined in her words, talks about private and innappropriate things, holds grudges and brings up old offenses, it all casts a dark shadow on her prettiness.  Women need to attain inner beauty by acquiring the quality of discretion.

Discretion is not limited to speech. It includes behavior. 

Older women are to be discreet in order to be pleasing to God and others and to qualify them to teach the younger women:

Titus 2:5    To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the 

word of God be not blasphemed.

Being careful in what you say and do will become a habit that will make discretion a natural part of your character. Discretion is important because of your influence at home, in the world and in the church. Christians must be careful not to bring reproach upon the home or the church. While it is essential that the wives of church leaders be discreet, this quality is for all Christian ladies. Practicing discretion will better qualify the older women to teach the younger women to be discreet.

God loves his children and has included a benefit with everything He commands in the Word (the scriptures) through the Holy Spirit. An old military slogan from the 1940's said, “Silence is Security.” As ladies limit the amount of personal information and the amount of repeating what others say (tale-bearing), they will be protected from accusations, falsehood, stress, and imposition on their personal privacy. God is good. He provides a way for us to live in harmony with Him and others when we adhere to His Will. Being discreet is cooperating with God and allowing His grace to work in your life. The Christian lady may also find more peace and spiritual strength in her life when being discreet.

To exercise restraint when tempted to be inappropriately revealing (not just in speech, but in living ), why not submit your anxiety or request or concern to the Lord Jesus and make a best friend of Him. The Christian lady will have so many more benefits in her life when she “tells -all” to her Lord and Savior, who will keep it safely and answer her prayers.

May God bless you as you trust Him and seek to be discreet in your life and teach others by your example. Please remember to click on comments and read them, or click on the post title and comments will appear with the post.

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Trust in The Lord

Hello Dear Ones,

This is a short post to say I hope you all have a blessed Lord's Day in honoring Jesus and setting aside time for worship and remembrance of His sacrifice and the purpose for it.  As I get older and study more, I understand it better.

It is interesting how the gift of prayer always comes at the perfect time.  One day I looked at my email and there was a note from Roxy at Living From Glory to Glory blog saying she prayed for me.  The best gift is a prayer on behalf of a friend.  Knowing someone is praying for you can really change your perspective.  I pray for everyone who reads my blog and all the bloggers on my blogroll, for God's protection and care.

Thank you all for your encouraging comments and your nice emails.  I will be checking the list you gave me of blogging subjects and trying to fulfill them little by little.

With Love,

Lydia

Beautiful Rose Arbor

      

                                                          Rose Arbor from Allposters

It has been awhile since I have posted and I am going to enjoy explaining the reason: 

I might have mentioned that we share one car in our family, and it seems to work out well for us.  When my husband is not needing the car, I use it to go to my usual places: the grocery store, Post Office, any visits I need to make, etc.

As  I noticed higher prices (which is usually what happens in winter months, especially fresh foods) I began to be concerned about expenses.  I got the big idea to combine my necessary errands with my husband's just to be more frugal with gas.  His trips involved stops at so many places, at such great distances apart  that it took all day.  Usually when he is away doing all his business, I stay home so I can get tend to the house and yard and meal preparation.  I like to have the main things in order before nightfall.  I began to get behind on so many things that after a week of catching rides with him, and even getting dropped off at places I like to see, I found it just was not very efficient use of my time.  I was so tired upon our arrival at home in the evenings and got further behind on things.

Now that experiment and experience is over, I am back doing things the way I did before - staying home and going out on short trips only when I need to.  My husband likes to stop and get things I need when he is on the way home from somewhere, and he is good about getting the exact brand and price I request, so it works out better if I do not combine my trips with his!

Hobby Lobby has big display of cotton fabrics in delicious shades of color, for $4.44 a yard. I found this peach color to go with a hat that has been around here for a long time.  The store let me use my 40 percent coupon on the fabric, so I felt I got a real bargain, which amounted to a little more than $2.00 a yard. I did find some fabric the exact color of the straw hat but it was $9.00 a yard so I decided on the peach fabric at the lower price. 

The dress is for someone else, so I hope to begin sewing soon.

After not spending much time at home, my thought today is: Time spent at home is well spent!