"These are glory days, not gloomy days." --- Dr. Manuel Johnson
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So Tom and I were married in the '70's(!), back when you didn't save up to get married. No, if you felt madly in love and could afford an inexpensive wedding, plus your first month's rent, you considered yourselves all set.
A.K.A. The Good Old Days.
My best-remembered times from those early years? Daily creating something from nothing and reveling in financial challenges, which either makes me sound like a lunatic or a kindred spirit. ツ
Those far away years return to my mind, perhaps because I'm hoping my fellow humans are finding similar happiness during Today's financial hardships.
It's possible, you know, to appreciate challenges. To splash around in a rampant creativity required to make us stronger, wiser and more capable than we'd ever dreamed we could become.
It's possible to not fear rationing or product limits, as well.
In my earliest homemaking years when we barely eeked by, oh, the trips I made to the library, thrift shops and supermarkets for instructional books, magazines and sales items. But now? Wow, the Internet can turn us all into homemaking superstars within our own homes.
Yes, prices are higher these days, but with wisdom, knowledge and the Holy Spirit, that doesn't matter. Godly overcomers still overcome, no matter what Life hurls at them or in what year or cost.
In other words, inflation doesn't blow God away.
Some Christians say we should be stressed and, "These are dark days," yet I would quip, "Only for those who don't, with their whole hearts, seek the Light."
The Light brightens everything. No really, everything.
" ... God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." --- 1 John 1:5
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her." --- Proverbs 3:13-15
Need more wisdom? The Bible tells us to just ask for it.
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My friend, Susan, asked me to share a list of favorite Youtubers. That list is quite long so here, given the subject of this post, I'll share the helpful Youtubers and leave the sillier, when-I-need-some-fun ones for next time. ツ
Appalachia's Homestead With Patara (prepping)
Somers In Alaska (family life)
The Simplified Saver (inexpensive meals)
Dr. Eric Berg (health)
Joyce Meyer Ministries (ministry)
Homestead Tessie Mobile Home Living (prepping, home care)
Do It On A Dime (inexpensive home care)
Elijah Clips (ministry)
See Mindy Mom (cheap, easy meals)
Dan Bongino (politics)
Whippoorwill Holler (prepping, cooking, homecare)
Michael Knowles (politics)
Any tiny house channels, for they inspire me to creativity and owning less.
And of course, there's OpenLibrary.org if you'd rather read about helpful subjects.
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When we stay inspired to live our best life, we know we're hopeful, anticipating what God will do next far more than just watching what satan's doing now.
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
5 comments:
These are dark days but exciting too. Tomorrow is Dennis's last day of work before retirement. There are those that say he's crazy, retiring in the midst of all of this "stuff". Well, maybe, and if I let myself dwell on it I start to panic. Then I suck myself back into what I know. God will be with us just as He always has been. Like you, we married in the 70's with next to nothing and we lived on lOvE! :-) And we survived and thrived.
Much love and blessings,
Betsy
I love The Somers in Alaska. I have a daughter who lives in Alaska so we both watch them and chat about the vlogs.
Thanks for the encouraging posts, Debra!
I have had a tremendous amount of peace. It's just the Lord. So thankful. ❤️
A very thoughtful post and I agree. I’m not stressed or freaked out what is happening because in my young days I too lived pay check to paycheck. All of this is in my wheelhouse and it’s like riding a bike - you don’t forget.
I’ve been ready - and have been watchful for sometime now. I’m happy I listened to God about no worrying. I choose to enjoy my life regardless of the dark times we’re in.
Ahh yes, I sure do remember the 70s, and I remember trying to figure out how to make life work as a young bride. Although growing older has its share of challenges, I wouldn't go back to those old days even if I could. Back then, I knew the Lord was my Savior, but I didn't have a lifetime of knowing Him as I do now, nearing my 70s. So much has changed, but He has not. If anything, He has grown more precious to me, my dearest friend, the best teacher, my healer. When I think about the challenges of our world, I remember Romans 8:28 and His promise to make all things work together for good. I trust Him much more than I trust myself.
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