I just began reading a book that I've had on my shelves for awhile now called Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth. Coincidentally, it served as the perfect accompaniment for me to take while the kids played at the park on this gorgeous spring day!
I have only read the first chapter but I thought I could do a review as sorts. I'm discovering that much of what Sleeth suggests for gaining a simpler, slower-paced lifestyle are things I've already applied and am reaping the rewards in my own life, so I can vouch that it is truly possible and worth the sacrifice.
I love the way the Lord works. The author tells in the introduction how living "Almost Amish" came to be in her family, the way God worked in their lives and their work to draw them not only to a more sustainable lifestyle, but also to Himself. God is not complicated, even though He is wonderfully and wildly creative and His thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, He knows His creation, and made us as we are, and provided just what we need without it being overwhelming or impossible. It is us, His creation, that has made it overwhelming and impossible. Nothing about the death and resurrection was simple or easy, but that was God's work. The Lord made the Way for us to be restored to Him, He sent the sacrifice, and He did what needed to be done so that even our eternal salvation was not complicated on our parts. We need only to turn from our narrow-minded self-focused lives and receive Him as savior. No amount of good deeds, Hail Mary's or complicated Ikea-furniture-style instructions, just turn and receive. Praise God for this!
I love the way the author and her husband saw the wisdom of the Amish lifestyle. Such insight and discernment seems so rare these days. To not just see something, but to allow it to be mulled over in ones mind, researched and considered from all angles, and then responded to. And indeed they did respond, and made it their lives work! The Bible says that it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter the gates of heaven. As a modern-day American, I can see how this would be possible. I am every bit tempted by the lure of fanciful and pretty stuffs as the next girl, and I know how lonely the road is of those walking away from all of that. Like a fish swimming upstream. Yet Mr. and Mrs. Sleeth have done it, it seems. Beginning even higher up on the success ladder, living among what they call "trustfundians," they began downsizing, simplifying, and reducing their carbon footprints. That takes some serious conviction and determination, and is an inspiration to see that it IS possible to do!
Chapter one talks about homes, and ways they have simplified their living conditions. I've already mentioned their downsizing, they have done it several times over in the years, much of it gladly and willingly, but the author confesses missing a few things. Its important to note, as I hope her readers do, that it is OK to miss things. I wonder how many people write it off and say "See! She misses things! That is why I could never do that!" I'd doubt if anyone would admit it, but I think we, in our culture, believe that if its the least bit uncomfortable, then it is not worth it. We use this type of excuse the minute we get the chance when we are "trying" to do something good that requires personal sacrifice. "I draw the line at ____________!" "I'm trying to eat healthy but I draw the line at eliminating __________!" "I'm all for spending less, but I refuse to give up my _________________!" The truth is, the "sacrifices" we make, aren't much sacrifice at all. I'm the chief of sinners in this. Even as I read about Nancy air drying her clothes instead of using a dryer, I drew my line. And followed it up with a strong (in my mind) list of justifications. "Anything worth doing requires sacrifice" is a quote of yesteryear, outdated in modern society if we are being honest with ourselves. And I am CONVINCED we miss out on so many blessings that would blow our comfort-seeking minds because of it!
So. Down-sizing homes. As I write, we live in a two bedroom 1200 square foot apartment. That's me and my three young daughters, third floor. We love it. We had a slightly larger, but still small by many american standards, home on a quiet cul-de-sac in the back of a subdivision six months ago, and the mortgage to go with it. When we moved here, we recognized that we would need to let go of more than a few things to keep our new place from C.H.A.O.S. (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome-borrowed from FlyLady). I am not a pack-rat by nature so was surprised by the multiple trips to Goodwill and the mountains left by the curb on trash day! I was ecstatic to let it all go, though, and haven't missed a single thing (if I could even recall what we got rid of!). My girls were sharing a room by choice in our other place so it was not much of a sacrifice to go down to two bedrooms here. They adore each other and rarely is there rivalry. I think people think I simply got lucky, but while I recognize it as a blessing from God that they are so close, I have always encouraged the girls to look after one another, serve each other, handle their disagreements without fighting (even as toddlers, I made it a point when one would tattle, to have them talk out their problems together, in kindness, and without me playing referee- I think this has helped a ton! I can't tell you how many times my kids have heard me say, "Is that the best way to handle that? Go back in there and handle it nicely." or "How could you say that differently to your sister?" but it paid off and their relationships are stronger in part to it!)
One of the places we "feel the pinch" in our small home is in the kitchen. With three daughters, its not uncommon to have one unloading the dishwasher, one cooking, and one getting a snack all at the same time. I tend to get frustrated here, but then I remember this is what its all about. This is why the kitchen is the best room in the house! The Amish recognize this, as the author points out, and so do we! When we are doing a dance around one another to get to the drawer/cabinet/oven/fridge we are learning to work together, communicate, and act with patience.
I loved the advice Sleeth gave to resist the urge to re-clutter once you have de-cluttered your home. Really consider if you really need an item before you purchase it. Focus on a few high-quality items over a bunch of cheaper quality stuff. Be hospitable, and don't think that must mean elaborate meals and events. This is something I'm currently working on. I used to never have people over because I could not pull off a spectacular, magazine-spread-worthy meal, complete with fancy settings and nice linens, and a menu of complimenting food choices. In addition, I was always embarrassed by my house's "lived in" look. Lately, however, I find myself inviting others over much more often, even though its a small place and its a workout for people to climb up to my front door, and I still don't have much to offer, I've found that nobody seems to mind, which I should have known all along!
Another piece of advice the author offers is something that I feel God has been speaking to me about a lot lately and that is clothing. If you were to compare me and my closet with that of an average american woman, I like to think its pretty modest. I don't have expensive stuff, I live in jeans and t-shirts, I don't have a shoe habit or purse habit or jewelry habit or anything like that. Still, if you compare me with the majority of women in the world, I know that I am rich beyond comprehension and the amount of clothing I have reflects that. The part that God is working with me on, however, is to take away the desire to have those nice things. What I wear and what I'd like to wear are polar opposites. I'd much rather dress girly and adorable. Its just not practical for me right now to do that. And I'm learning to be OK with that. At the same time, I'm considering what Deuteronomy 22:5 says, "A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this." Now, I know that many people would say, "Lighten up! That's old testament stuff!" but I think that if God really goes to the point to say He detests something, then it probably isn't saying "I detest it in that cultural time frame, any other time is fine, though." Call it a hunch. So I am on the look out for a modest, inexpensive, yet still practical wardrobe makeover. So far, its been pretty tough, as you can imagine! The author, Nancy Sleeth, does not address the issue of dressing feminine in the book, that is just a bunny trail that her writing on having a few simple items instead of closets and drawers busting at the seams sent me on!
For my kids, who also don't have a lot compared to other kids their age, and don't seem to be bothered much by it, we have talked a lot lately about shopping at consignment shops and dressing girly (which they aren't yet keen on) and thinking even more on modesty than we already do (which, I promise, we do!). The big temptation for them, as it is for me, will be to resist indulging in fads and making idols of modern fashion. We are great at shopping sales and they, in particular, are fantastic at sharing clothes, too! This helps a lot, and I find myself increasingly thankful that the Lord blessed me with three children of the same gender and close enough in age where this is possible!
Lastly, I enjoyed the nuggets of wisdom- quotes from other writers that the author included. And so, I leave you with my favorite one from chapter one,
"Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers." - William Wordsworth
