The world says,
“You can’t make it in life unless you’re constantly pushing yourself and your family. Those parents admired most are the ones who do it all.”
We say,
“I don’t want my child left behind. I don’t want to be seen as lazy, uninformed, and uncaring. Life feels like a stressful, endless race to a finish line that we don’t really want to get to.”
A Simplified Family living on the Flipside…
simply has their minds and hearts open to something bigger, something much more satisfying. Deep in our souls we all want more breathing room in our world. And we’re given chance after chance to allow it in. Semesters change. Seasons end. Leagues are outgrown. Levels are reached. The opportunities come along all the time. We need only to lay down some of our fear and pick up the courage to be “uncool” for just a little while. In my personal effort to “bring it down a notch” with our family, I’ve seen that there’s a strange coolness to being uncool. It’s empowering to be able to say, with calmness in my voice, we’re free this weekend.
Are we doing nothing? No way. Think back…when you had free time as a kid, was what you did nothing? Nope. It’s everything! We’ve had time for a family scavenger hunt, geo-caching, zip lining, biking, swimming, and hiking. Most weekends are met with, “What can we get into this Saturday?”
Have we eliminated all extra activities? No. We’ve just narrowed our schedule down to what is truly loved by our kids without adding in anything just for the sake of “not falling behind or feeling left out.”
Peace. Memories. Rest. Exercise. Creativity. Clarity.
These are just a few of the perks of being a little less scheduled.
And much more importantly, having this extra breathing room completes a circle. When I have a little more down time throughout the week, I have a lot more quiet time with God. Strangely enough, even though I’m moving slower, I find myself finally getting all the important things done.
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes peace and for mutual upbuilding.