Embrace grace-filled, natural living! This post is a challenge to let your natural living journey be filled with grace, rather than driven by anxiety.
by Katie Bennett, of Embracing a Simpler Life
Natural living is a good thing for so many reasons.
It’s real food. It’s real product. Simply put, it’s just real.
But what happens when the ideal of natural living begins to steal one’s joy? To highjack a carefree, relaxed, happy life?
What happens when the pressure of all the research and all the expectations we put on ourselves begin to weigh heavily on our shoulders?
How often do we believe the lie that unless we’re providing our families with all organic, all natural, all the time we don’t love our children and we’re not succeeding as moms?
So often we intend to elongate and improve the quality of our lives, while what we’re really doing is succumbing to a life of stress, fear and anxiety that steals our days.
Different “circles” of moms have different cultures. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. Different ways of relating. Different shared interests and different ways of thinking.
One such culture I’ve noticed is among the moms who read research. They watch the news, are very conscientious, very attentive and excellent parents… but they also seem to fret, a lot. All that information can be burdensome.
Every bit of their parenting becomes, almost… over-thought. Every bite their children take, every product they use, every activity, every moment, becomes a source of angst.
Because at some point, we all start believing we’re in control of things that we really can’t control.
This is what I think of as anxiety-filled “natural living.”
And then there are others, those moms who joyfully and light-heartedly embrace natural living by doing what they can and holding the rest in loose hands, refusing to let themselves be guilt-ridden by what’s not feasible nor reasonable.
Those moms who thankfully accept what’s available to them with a gracious smile, no matter if at that moment it needs to be processed or non-organic or served in a plastic cup, in order to more fully love those around them and say no to undue stress.
They walk in freedom, not bondage.
Their “natural living” is grace-driven.
So, with all the pressures of modern science and culture, how do we find the latter path, the middle road? How do we find the truly quality life?
Here are my suggestions:
How to Embrace Grace-Filled Natural Living
1. Cut yourself some slack.
Your expectations of yourself and others will define the very life you live. Say no to guilt, and instead set your course and make your choices according to what you can do cheerfully and in joy. Do something, yes, but give yourself grace for the rest. You have permission to not “do it all” as a natural wife and mom.
2. Realize and accept that you are not in control.
This is the other side of the coin. Some of the most health-conscious, all-natural people imaginable still end life tragically. No, you are not in control, and while eating a fantastic organic diet is great for your body, it guarantees you nothing.
That may be scary for you, but it could also be freeing if you learn to trust God with your life.
For those of us who know that He is in control and see a greater purpose to our existence than even what we will experience during our time here on earth, this is permission to relax and be content doing the best that we can, while forgetting the rest.
To learn more, check out How Eternal Perspective Changes Things: 11 Ways to Store Up Treasures in Heaven.
Note from Erin:
The author of this post, Katie Bennett, is also the author of a fantastic devotional for moms–Heavenly-Minded Mom: A 90-Day Journey to Embracing What Matters Most. Check out her devotional here.
3. Loosen up.
You don’t have to become overrun with anxiety when a well-meaning stranger offers your child some Cheetos or a prepackaged cookie.
Keep perspective. This person, their heart and intentions, mean far more in the grand scheme of things than one snack. He is not trying to harm your child. Keep “loving people” as your goal, not “organic only.”
4. Consider taking a “news break.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that too much information can be a burden. I’ve taken a step back from the news in recent years in an attempt to find peace in the midst of an overwhelming world, and it has been good for my soul. While it’s important to be informed, it’s also important to know yourself. Consider if a news break might add life to your days.
Only in recent generations have we been exposed to such far-reaching news exposure. Sure, it is a good thing, just maybe not all the time.
Natural living is good. It’s a journey I’m on too. But let’s keep our joy, light-heartedness and zest for life while we’re at it. Let’s keep perspective and trust God with our lives. Let’s let go of undue pressure and fear and live in freedom today.
Let’s embrace grace-driven natural living.
How will you work to create a sense of sanctuary in your home this week? In which of these areas do you most need to grow?
Hi! I’m Katie. I’m a stay-at-home mom of four, and I live a life devoted to Jesus. I love to write, and I focus my energy on living simply and well. You may enjoy my devotional, Heavenly-Minded Mom: A 90-Day Journey to Embrace What Matters Most. I’m fairly new to the blogging world, recently launching a blog called Embracing a Simpler Life where I write about eternal perspective, being a wife and mama for the glory of God, and simple, intentional living. Come check it out!
Sherri Martinez
well said. I agree 100%
Katie Bennett
Thanks Sherri!
Michelle Boberick
i was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in 2012 and by 2013 I was cancer free. So I enjoyed 2014 with my friends and family. I began my reconstruction in 2014 and finished in early 2015. Two days later, I was diagnosed with IBC that had metastasized to my brain after the doctors discovered three lesions. Two on the left side were removed by surgery, and those cavities and the one on the back right were then treated with stereotactic radiation. Two days later, I had three small seizures and ended up in the ER. I now have lost my license for six months and am waiting for the doctors’ decisions on how to finally treat the cancer and the seizures. My faith is very strong. I know the plan for my life is out of my hands but it is hard not to feel guilty about what I could do to take better care of myself and my family. I’m not sure what God expects of me.
Katie Bennett
That’s a hard situation Michelle. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that, but I’m so thankful to hear that your faith is strong. I know that God has you and He is sovereign, so I would encourage you to lay that guilt aside and press forward. If this guilt is not leading you into a deeper relationship with Christ, then it’s not likely from God, as most kinds of guilt are not. Bless you!
Heather
Good article, good reminder. Although “watching the news” seems out of place. I am one of those research moms and I do NOT watch the news at all because the news does not give an accurate portrayal of what is really going on in the world by any stretch of the imagination. I don’t think many natural or real food moms would put much stock in what they see on the news, considering it is anything but “real”.
April@mysacredsojourn
I didn’t read that section as “watching the news.” Maybe taking a “news break” means that we stop reading (and writing!) articles online about the “top 15 snacks that will kill your kids” or “top 10 cancer-causing ingredients in your shampoo” or whatever. I get so tired of seeing those things pop in up in my facebook or pinterest feeds.
Mama2eight
You are so right! Striving for perfection isn’t healthy, because it will never happen this side of Heaven.
Thank you for sharing!
Katie Bennett
Thanks so much Mama2eight!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Katie and Erin, this is a post that every parent needs to read. There seems to be an overabundance these days of parents who are at one extreme (totally unconcerned) or the other (anxiety-filled), with few ever achieving the balance you describe. There was a time when children were a *part* of the family rather than the *focus* of the family; we need to get back to that. I’m afraid we are now in The Era of Competitive Parenting.
Katie Bennett
I couldn’t agree more Jean. Thank you so much for the comment!
Catherine
This article came at the perfect time and was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. 🙂
Katie Bennett
I’m SO glad to hear it! Thank you for taking the time to stop and comment. Bless you!
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
Great Article Katie! I love your perspective. I try not to live my life in extremes, because I find that perfection is a lonely and stressful place to exist. I agree with you that too much information can be overwhelming. It is important to study and make healthy choices, but it is also important to live your life and embrace the fact that perfection is not a healthy goal. I look forward to watching your blogging career blossom, as your message is important and timely! I blog about similar things to you, and am new to the game too! Look forward to getting to know you better through your writing…..Blessings!
Katie Bennett
You are so right. We often miss the “balance” of things in life at our own expense. Thank you for the comment and for connecting on my blog and Facebook! I am so glad you did!
Melissa
Yes! Thank you! I’m so tired of the constant talk about physical well-being. Why aren’t we focused more on spiritual well-being? I’m finally learning to relax about so many things because it’s been taking my focus off Jesus. I will make homemade granola bars. I will not make chicken nuggets! I don’t care if you tell me they’re easy, I don’t wanna do it, and that’s beyond okay! Thank you again for bringing this up.