Live The Life You Were Given
July 28, 2010 by Marci
I often think of my grandmothers. Farm wives who took care of their home and family and anyone else in need. They worked from sunrise until after sunset cleaning, cooking, gardening, ironing everything, babysitting, baking from scratch, quilting, sewing, mending and a million other things I never even noticed. These women accomplished so much more than I do in a day. Yet, they never seemed hurried or stressed. They made it seem easy. I have often wondered how they did it all. Many times I have wished they were still here to tell me their secrets.
Last week, I was switching radio stations and happened upon A Prairie Home Companion radio show with Garrison Keillor. He was reading a piece about living the life you’s been given. As I listened, it hit me. That was their secret! My grandmothers lived the life they had been given – and they did it very well. I never heard them complain about the endless laundry or cooking. I remember my Grandma J smiling as she hung loads of clothes out on the line and humming as she ironed.
These women didn’t try and keep up with Joneses. They were content with what they had. They loved their families and their God. They served both well. There were no unrealistic expectations of themselves to live up to. Their priorities were in order. They didn’t try to live someone else’s life as their own. They lived the life they were given.
image source
Comments (13)
Wow! What a breath of fresh air this post was! I really enjoyed “meeting” you last night. You sound really fun! I’ve picked up your button and will definitely be back!
If you have time – come see me too over at Living Above Ministries.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Marci, this is such a great post. Just what I needed to hear this morning…. Really got me thinking.
I quoted you in my post over @ SW today.
Thanks again — refreshing to my soul.
You are right on target. On my mirror, I recently placed a quote from the book, How to be More than a Bible Study Girl, from Lysa Teurkyst that says basically I am not prepared for the gifts or burdens that the Lord has blessed other people – just for those he has given me. Thanks for reinforcing this prospective.
Live the Life you have been given!! Love It!!
good word, my friend!
Thank you Marci! (my name is Marci too!)
You don’t know how very much I needed to hear this today. We are going through a transition right now in my home due to my husband’s cut in pay…and our many, many debts. We are trying to get back on the right track. I have often thought about my grandparents, and their parents, and how they handled life “back then”. They simply “lived”. I want to get back to that so badly. Thank you for sharing!
~Marci
A great point, well-made! When we are constantly told that we live in countries where anything is possible, but we haven’t achieved what Celebrity A or Business Mogul B has achieved, it’s hard to shut out that little voice of self-doubt.
@Catherine – I am going to buy that book, without a doubt.
What a great reminder – to live the life we’ve been given. I look too far into the future at times, hoping for the life that’s there, and I neglect the life I have today. Praying that God will help me to serve Him as best as I can today.
I love this post, I hope I can still be like one of them nowadays..
This is such a great post Marci. I try to remind myself to Live this life to the fullest!
Marci, I am right there with you in observing grandmothers. Reflecting on both of my Great Grandmothers’ lives this past January/February really stirred up my soul. I miss them dearly and only hope I leave half the legacy they did behind. Such wonderful, hard working, God Loving, and content women to be admired. Thank you for such a great post and reminding me again of these wonderful women….living the life they were given.
Amen to that!
[...] Live the Life You Were Given [...]