This week we continue the Living Simply series with the topic of Nurture People. “Finally, enough already with the global perspective!” you might be thinking. Fair enough. Today I’ll lead with a quote from Suze Orman:
“People first, then money, then things.”
Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Then why do I find myself checking my email when I’m at a restaurant with my husband?
I’m always impressed by families who are able to “make it work” with one income and children; or couples who decide to work part time in order to pursue something they love. What happens if you’re already on the treadmill, though?
On the other side of the coin, it’s easy to point fingers at the high-powered executive or stereotypical father who is never home, showing his love to his family by buying them a mansion on a hill, while all they want is to spend time with their Dad.
I would guess that most of us are somewhere in between. If we don’t have high powered jobs or even jobs at all, there are so many things to fill our time; meetings, clubs, hobbies, volunteer work in the community and at church.
Living More with Less suggests writing “a fairly detailed list of all the commitments you have in life in categories such as job, family, church, committees, etc. When you’re finished, go through your list and label your commitments according to how they nurture people and in what ways. Keep in mind Doris Janzen Longacre’s definition of nurture as ‘all actions that bring others to this full life and growth in the kingdom of God.’”
Having a clear picture of our commitments can help us set priorities and simplify our schedules.
I feel very lucky that my parents impressed this value upon me as a child. The photo above is a birthday cake that was made for my niece’s birthday. When we were growing up, my mom would always make a boxed cake and we would get to pick out the color of frosting and what it would say. Those squeeze tubes of frosting were the highlight of the year.
Now that my parents aren’t putting four girls through Christian school, sometimes they buy a cake from the store for our birthday celebrations. Somehow, it’s just not the same. I know, we are all older with our own families now, but part of me thinks a simple homemade cake is more meaningful than the most expensive option at the bakery.
In what ways have you found that simple things put people first?
This post shared with Simple Lives Thursday and Frugal Friday
I agree completely that homemade just seems more thoughtful! I was a working Mom for the past three years and in October decided to take a break to be with the kids more. We will be doing more baking at home, more simple meals at home, more movie nights at home now. My hope is that it brings us closer together as a family. I am really enjoying your series.
that sounds wonderful! And, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my series. I must check out your gumbo recipe since DH has requested it 😉
I agree homemade is so much better – even if homemade means “from a box” – cakes I have bought from a bakery never get eaten, the ones I make always do! Looking forward to your series.
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my gosh! I tried buying one of those huge giant chocolate chip cookies for my then 9 year old son’s birthday. The scream could be heard around the world, “Where’s my birthday cake? I can’t have a birthday without MY cake!” He has the same cake that I make, every year – tradition. I never made that mistake again. (I’m playing catch up on my blog reading which is why this is so late!)
LOL isn’t it funny how those small traditions (usually inexpensive, at that) mean so much?
Oh, and to answer your question? Alpha Hubby eats oatmeal for breakfast on weekends so I always make it for him just because. Being steel-cut oats, it takes FOREVER (to me), so he knows I love him because I stand there and stir and stir and stir and stir, just for him!! I don’t eat them – I’m all about rolled oats – so it is an act that puts him first and he appreciates it.
Oh, did you see my post about steel cut oats in the slow cooker? I want to find a faster way to make them and am still looking for that “perfect” method.