He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

I have loved the Little House on the Prarie series for as long as I can remember. As in, my parents used its removal from my life as a means of discipline…when I was three. I cannot put my finger on exactly what it is that makes me love it so, but whatever it is is ingrained deep because as a grown-up wife and mama I find myself asking, “What would Ma do” on a regular basis!

The truth is, I am no “Ma”. I struggle to have a cheerful heart while I wipe up the kitchen floor for the thirtieth time - today. I very nearly have to injure my tongue to force it into submission when in conversation with my man. I most definitely do NOT sew by candlelight, or any light, in the evenings when all of my other work is done. BUT there was a simplicity about their lives that I crave for my own - that I crave for my girls. Pa caught the food and built the house. Ma kept the home and trained the children. The children had responsibilities around the home but were mostly free to be - children. And all the women wore long dresses. When they saw a need, they addressed it. They accepted responsibility and loved each other well. Life was hard but it was uncomplicated.

I recognize that we no longer live in the days of log cabins and no neighbors for days. Our world is fast paced and far more complex than it was 150 years ago. I cannot possibly try to line up life with that of the Ingalls unless I want to go live with the Amish, which I have considered now and again. I find myself overwhelmed and afraid of the speed at which the winds of life are propelling my family, my girls, forward into what is rapidly becoming a deeper and darker unknown.

BUT God has placed us in the here and now on purpose.

So, how do I reconcile this longing for simplicity in a culture that very nearly will not have it?

I go back to the strong and simple truth of Scripture.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.

In her dance class.

Planting tomatoes.

At the grocery store.

Among her friends.

While cleaning the floors.

We must cling so tightly to Jesus and what He asks of US that they won’t see the busy-ness like they see His Truth.