Sometimes the hardest thing about reading my Bible every day is not knowing where to begin. So I thought I’d tell you about my very simple Bible reading plan this year, which David shared with our church a few months back. We’re reading through the letters of Paul in the New Testament, and if you read two chapters a day you can read all of his letters 8 times in a year. Here’s how it works: There are two lists to read from each day, the first is Romans – 2 Corinthians, and the second list is Galatians – Philemon. I started by putting a bookmark at Romans 1 and…

We’ve talked all month long about Purposeful Simplicity and some of the barriers that keep us from it. I’m learning that the one vital thing that helps me remember my purpose is spending time with Jesus. There are voices all around me and voices inside of me beckoning, tugging me away from Purposeful Simplicity: telling me there’s no happiness to be found there, no joy, no fulfillment. They tell me I need to prove my worth by how I look and who I know and what I do. They tell me to compare myself to women around me to make sure I’m doing better. They tell me there’s no way God’s…

Yesterday I wrote about finding contentment in knowing my place. One way to find that contentment in the here and now is through learning who I am. It’s so funny, in my late teens and early twenties I would’ve told you I dreaded my thirties. Getting older sounded so . . . boring. I felt like fun needed to be had as quickly as possible before I got old. Isn’t that silly? The greatest surprise so far of my thirties is how much I enjoy getting older. Sure life has way more responsibility know. But lately I see so much value in growing up. I’m not quite 33 years old,…

. . . that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – I Tim. 2.2. I’m coming to learn that a life of Purposeful Simplicity is understanding my place in the world and finding contentment in it. I think most people — especially women — bristle at any reference to “knowing our place” because it’s reminiscent of the 1950’s propaganda that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. That is not what I’m talking about. But. It may be a little what I’m talking about. Let me explain. We’re fed the belief from all around us that we can have it all and…

Yesterday Purposeful Simplicity was taking a day off from writing because I was sick. Thanks for being here, friends! To start at the beginning of this series click here.

The best way I know to forge ahead with a life of Purposeful Simplicity is by doing it in community. I don’t think any one thing has changed me as much as living and growing and learning in a community of Purposefully Simple people. Here are a few thoughts about this kind of community: 1. You have to seek it out. Even if you’re surrounded by people modeling Purposeful Simplicity, you have to intentionally seek out these relationships. Usually purposeful simple people aren’t flashy, they aren’t broadcasting their life choices for others to see. They don’t do that because they don’t need outside affirmation to be at peace with where…

Is it just me or do you feel like parenting today is incredibly anxiety-filled? There are so many options, so many opinions, so many products to ensure a successful parenting journey. I experience more guilt related to being a parent than in any other area of my life. I know it’s because we love these kids so much. We want to give them the world. And all around us are voices telling us how to give them world. We just get one shot at this thing called child-raising and we’re terrified we’ll miss the right voice and mess our kids up. Well on my journey toward Purposeful Simplicity I’ve come…

As Americans I think we’ve lost the art of resting. I’ve met very few people who know how to both work hard and rest well, but when I meet them I sit up and take note. Because it’s something I need to learn. Especially in our culture of parenting it seems sometimes like rest is a sin. The way people talk these days you’d almost equate rest with not caring about your kids. Parents should be running around the house waiting on kids hand and foot. Parents should be giving kids every opportunity they deserve, every chance to live a happy life and make something of themselves. Parents should not…