When there are more years behind you than ahead of you, you can still have

DREAMS OF A SIMPLE LIFE

  © Gary Fisher

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 I grew up on a farm near Marlboro, Ohio. After graduation from nearby Mount Union College, I was hired to be the college’s assistant basketball coach and head soccer coach.  So, at the age of 23, I left rural life behind and started living and working full time in the city. Just four years later, I became the college’s head basketball coach. I was so busy and motivated to succeed as the head coach of two sports that I rarely noticed the difference between city life and farm life.

As I write this, those simple memories of the farm life are always with me. I even wrote a book about them, Ohio Farm Stories.

Realizing that my dreams of a simple life really can come true, I now know that it’s not only where you live, but how.  Many people have a happy life in different places. This is just my story of finding a simple life.

For several years, we were blessed to live in a  home in a Cleveland, Ohio, suburb.  It had four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a full basement, a fenced-in backyard, and an attached two-car garage. But after we retired, it was time to find a rural place to live.

When we finally decided to downsize our lives, the thought came about maybe getting back that farm lifestyle that I had so long ago. So, if that could happen, what would this new home and lifestyle look like? What would change about how life is today?

Dreams about a better life came quickly. We were taking a drive about eighty miles south of Cleveland when I saw the answer. It was an Amish horse and buggy!

It was a wonderful reminder that a simpler and slower life was still possible in this overcrowded world in which I was living.

Although I have enjoyed my city life, that buggy reminded me that there was always something tugging at my heart.

Having grown up on a farm near Hartville, Ohio, it is easy for me to remember how the Amish lived. My Grandfather had many Amish friends. I even remember them coming to the farmhouse and singing to us. (No instruments, of course.)

So, when we moved to Sugarcreek, Ohio, it was like coming home. It was wonderful! Although our new home is small, it has a deck and a patio that overlook a farmer’s field, and we are only a few minutes away from a grocery store. Because the Village of Sugarcreek is small, it is easy to know more people who live and work there.

We are excited and happy in our new home, but in my dreams of a simple life I soon realized that it wasn’t enough!

Something  was missing.

We had a small, but cluttered, home

Having moved from a large home to a small one, we learned that we had brought too many things with us. We have MORE than enough!

For me, less is more! Each day now we can hear the sound of horses pulling Amish buggies. Those clip-clops are a reminder that a simple way of life is still possible, even in this high tech and “buy more” world. 

My wife and I have been collecting items for a combined 100+ years! And, just when you have no more room for anything, your family and friends generously give you something.

I am impressed by people, especially Amish, who keep their farms so neat and clean. It also motivates me to have less when I see cluttered homes with lots of junk in plain sight.

One idea I have learned is to enter a room and start in the corner with nothing.

Then, as I move outward, I only keep what is really necessary. Nothing in plain sight, but furniture and some decorations. That room becomes Amish to me; neat, clean, and always ready for anyone to enjoy.

Another idea to consider is that a meal is never over until the dishes are done. That means that a kitchen always has clean counters.

One Amish trait that I really admire is hard work. It is not easy to keep a home clutter-free. It takes hard work, but the rewards are fantastic, and it will make a dream of a simple life come true.

How much stuff do you really need?

When you have fewer things to take care of, you will have more time for Bible study, understanding God’s role for your life and helping others.

This can be achieved no matter where you live. The Bible has always been there, with all the answers to a happy and peaceful life. Daily study is easily achieved by using one of the many daily Bible studies available. With today’s technology, we are able to continue to enjoy our church via the Internet; Parkside Church with Pastor Alistair Begg. Although we have moved, we still watch the Sunday morning service and we can watch it again, and others to complete our notes as it’s available on the Internet.

Less Internet, Less Phone, Less TV

 & More People Contacts

They are all just a tool, but not your master.  Oh, how that TV, phone and Internet can steal and waste my time! It’s time that could be spent helping others.

When you watch non-Christians day after day tell you about the world, what to think, what to buy, what fashions to wear, and what political news to believe, it can easily undermine your belief and steer you away from Jesus. By having the TV and Internet constantly on, you are allowing “garbage” to come into your home.

But there’s good news as well.

Being able to stay in contact with family and friends on the Internet is such a delight. Turning on the weather and news (local, national and the world) when I chose is a real treat. Studying Bible teachings daily online is wonderful.

Whether it’s for good or bad, the TV, Internet, and phone can easily become addictive.  I like to have at least one “no-tech” day every week. 

Nature Is Part of a Simple Life

Learn to know God more by enjoying and spending time outdoors with Him. Romans 1:20, NLT: "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God."

Keep Life Simple By Being Humble  

Here are the lyrics of one of my favorite songs:

Sinner Saved By Grace

If you could see what I once was,

If you could go with me,

Back to where I started from

Then I know you would see

A miracle of love that put me

In its sweet embrace

And made me what I am today

Just an old sinner saved by grace

I’m just a sinner saved by grace

When I stood condemned to death

He took my place.

Now I live and breathe in freedom

With each breath of life I take,

Loved and forgiven, backed with a living,

I’m just a sinner saved by grace.

How could I boast on anything

I’ve ever seen or done.

How could I dare to claim as mine

The victories God has won.

Where would I be had God

Not brought me gently to this place.

I’m here to say I’m nothing

But a sinner saved by grace.

Songwriters: Gloria Gaither, Mitch Humphries, William Gaither.

“GOOD MORNING, JESUS!”

I adapted this from an unknown author.

It’s a good way to start a simple life each day.

It was the first thing that Earl said each day as he woke up. To him, it meant that his day would be built on the foundation and remembrance of his Lord and Savior. He was thankful for having another day to  worship and serve. It didn’t matter how he felt; tired, rested, happy, sad, or in pain.  He was given another day!

When his feet hit the floor, it was time for his morning walk. Every day Earl would take a set number of steps. While walking, he would offer up prayers of thanks in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He prayed for his family, his friends, those in need, and people in sadness and grief. He asked for guidance for this new day and said aloud the words of Psalm 118:24  This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  He now looks forward with confidence to what this day will bring. He lovingly greets his wife with encouraging words.  Having finished his walking and prayers, it was time to shower, get dressed and head to the kitchen for breakfast.

But, before breakfast, Earl believed that the bedroom must be left in excellent condition. Dirty clothes were put in the hamper, and all bathroom counters were clear of items and wiped clean. He was always sure to make the bed and have it neatly ready for another sleep.

EARL OWNS NOTHING

Even though he owns the house, Earl knew that everything he had was just on loan from the Lord, and he wanted to show his thanks by exercising good care.

THE LEARNING CURVE

When something negative occurs in Earl’s day, he treats it as a learning curve. It’s not the bad news or a bad event, it's Earl’s response that matters. He takes today’s negative, whatever it may be, as an opportunity to learn and apply his belief that Jesus is always there. “What would the Lord have me do with this problem?”  He resists being discouraged. He resists being angry. He resists because this is still the day the Lord hath made. Being able to turn a negative in a different direction is truly a helpful Learning Curve.

His Lord and Savior would be

teaching him something today.

IT DOESN’T MATTER

Because He Was There All The Time!

I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to grow up, work, learn and enjoy life. How delightful it is to remember my family, neighbors and friends who were of help and guidance. How grateful I am to my parents and grandparents who worked so hard to make our family successful and show me the fruits of hard work.  As I think back to all that has happened, combined with what I now realize, there is a very important lesson that I feel compelled to pass along.

Do you remember the house you grew up in as a child? Who was your favorite teacher? What was your first major disappointment? Has your favorite music changed over the years? Who is your closest friend? Did you ever get in trouble with the law? Which is your favorite holiday?

Think back over all the events of your story from your birth until this very day. Now consider that no matter how great or hard your story is, or how different it is from anyone else’s you know, there was always one thing that was consistent for us all.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, male or female or married or divorced, or single, black or white or another race, rich or poor or middle class, healthy or not well.

It doesn’t matter if you live in the United States or another country; in a large city, a suburb, or a small rural town.   

It doesn’t matter if you have many siblings, are an only child or an orphan; if you have many friends or none.

It doesn’t matter if you graduated from school or not; wear business clothing or a t-shirt at work; attend a church or not.

It doesn’t matter if you are short or tall; are a marathon runner or in a wheelchair.

But some will say, “We are not all the same. There are so many different lives to live; how could any one thing be the same in everyone’s life?”  As you reflect on your story, one fact will always remain: with every step, event, success or failure, happiness or sadness, and every breath you have taken in your life, there is one common thread… 

Jesus Christ;

He was there all the time.

He created you and knew you before you were born. He knew your parents and your grandparents. He knows about everything happening in the world. Not only was He there during every second of your past, but He is still there today, and He will be there every day of your life. And He is always waiting to help, comfort, save and bless you …

 Just ask Him.

When we were happy and laughed, or when we were sad and cried, He Was There! With every birth and every death, He Was There! When we were sick or when we were healthy, He Was There!

Jesus Christ,  Our Lord and Savior,

Was And Is There All The Time.

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Dreams for a simple life will never end

until we get to Heaven.

It’s during our quiet time that we can give all worries to Jesus and ask Him to help those in need.  This is like downsizing the stuff in our house because we can also downsize our worries by giving them to Jesus.

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