Raising Children with a Quiet, Simple Life

A close friend of mine has a son who is married and has four children. They live a quiet and simple life. They are not involved in activities outside of the home. Another friend of mine was with them recently and was astonished at how well-behaved these children were. When she asked them to come, they came. When she spoke to them, they listened carefully and looked her right in the eyes.There was no arguing among the siblings. They played quietly and contentedly together. The parents have spent a lot of time training and disciplining their children. They are not expecting anyone else to do it. They take this job very seriously. Raising godly offspring is serious business and should never be taken lightly or carelessly.

The reason they don't get involved in a lot of activities is so they can have plenty of time to teach their children things that matter and have eternal value like getting along with others, being kind and generous, and loving the Lord. Raising a family, being a help meet to a husband and keeping a neat and tidy home should be a full-time job for mothers. 

How many families and children do you know like this? Most mothers are too busy doing other things instead of taking the time to train and discipline their children, keeping a neat and tidy home and fixing nourishing food for their families. They think they must do something to make money {which the Bible never commands that women do}, have hobbies to keep them entertained, and/or be on social media so they won't miss something "important."

NO! Your goal should be to live a quiet and simple life within your husband's income. This atmosphere is the best way for children to be raised. Jesus was raised this way! Elizabeth Elliot said, A simple and orderly life represents a clean and orderly mind. Muddled thinking inevitably results in muddled living. A house that is cluttered is usually lived in by people whose minds are also cluttered, who need to simplify their lives. This begins with simplifying and clarifying their thinking. Mind and life need to be freed from the "disorder of the unnecessary."

Your children don't need a lot of stuff or activities. They need you: your time, energy and training. They need you teaching them to work hard, be obedient, love others and love God. They need to see parents content with living a simple life who are at peace with each other. They need to learn that having things doesn't bring happiness but living according to God's instructions to us is what brings happiness and contentment.

Stop running about, wasting your time and neglecting your children, home and husband. Clean out your closets, drawers and homes to help you attain an uncluttered mind. Get rid of everything you don't need. Have clear and empty spaces. Let your children be creative in their play. Teach them to help you around the home, to cook and to garden. Be a homebody! You don't need to be running in your car all over the place. Your children don't need to be in a lot of outside activities.  You don't need a hobby that takes your time away from your family. If you have food, clothing and shelter, you should be so happy and content! 

All Christian families should be like this family I mentioned; the parents are deeply in love with each other; their children are their priority WAY over their cell phone, Facebook, Internet, TV, hobbies, etc. They have time for Bible reading, praying and praising the Lord. Meals are eaten around the table together. Love is openly expressed to all who enter their home. This is how a godly family should live.

 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life 
and attend to your own business and work with your hands, 
just as we commanded you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11