Poetic advice for young ladies

How to be Happy

C.T. Pringle

How shall we make life joyous?

"Not by the mirth unblest

Of the giddy dance, or the song profane

Or the wild, unguarded jest.

By the love of all things good and fair,

Sunshine and books and flowers;

By the smile of God upon guileless joys

Let us gladden our youthful hours."

How shall we make home happy?

"Not by pert look or tone,

Or the roving feet that haunt the street

While the mother toils alone.

By the tired father's ready chair,

Bright hearth, and neat-spread board;

By a willing hand, and a smiling lip,

And a heart with kindness stored."

How shall we look the fairest?

"Not by the vain display

Of flaunting fashions and foolish airs,

That turn wise hearts away.

But the light of truth in a quiet eye,

And a modest maiden grace,

With a rosy smile of sweet content,

Make fair the homeliest face."

How shall we give God glory?

"By doing what good we can

Unto all and each, within our reach,

Bird, beast, or child, or man;

By keeping still from the snares of ill

Which lure on every side;

Sheltered and safe, 'neath the prayer of faith.

Lord Jesus, be our Guide!"

Renting garments!

What in the world was I thinking?!

Week after week going to the thrift shop to scout out what nice new garment I might find to bring home.

Time and again, carting back bags of skirts with waists too small and blouses that look dull and aging on me.

Convincing myself that I was being frugal by spending so little to get so much!

Yet, in the long run, I have wasted more money this way than if I'd purchased a few good items, brand new from the dearer stores in town.

 Being frugal is not always about spending less money for something.

If you find a good quality garment that you will own for years and looks really nice on you ..then it's a bargain.

On the other hand.. if you pay money for things you soon end up giving back ..doesn't that mean you were only renting them to start with?

I am happy to support charity shops - don't get me wrong.

But I have had a sneaking suspicion for a while now, that my attraction addiction to buying clothes at Goodwill shops might be just a wee bit over the top - well I was right!!

Just look at this -

 3 bags full of clothing to give back to where they came from :-(

Ugh!! Not good!!

Am I the only one who does this?

Settle for an item that is not quite right for the sake of saving a few pennies?

Now and then it probably doesn't hurt..yard clothes to do the gardening in don't have to be perfect after all.

But when the bulk of your wardrobe starts to look like you live in the potting shed..something has to go!!

L.A.C.E.~the simple woman's beauty

The beauty of a simple woman outlasts the 'diva's' days.

For in her plain simplicity is where her beauty lays.

She need not spend a fortune on cosmetics or her dress

She need not go to 'experts' to enhance her prettiness.
She seeks no costly gold and jewels to weigh her fingers down

Her truest treasure always is to seek a godly crown

Through humble worship of her Lord and  kindly service given;

For these are gems that sparkle brightest under God's pure Heaven.
Her heart is quiet and content with all her lot in life

Whether single, widow, mother or devoted wife.

In difficult and trying days she simply carries on

Knowing that in times like these great victories are won.
By placing all her trust and faith in what her God will do

To send the help He knows she needs to safely bring her through. 

The softness of her skin and hair is not her prime concern.

For larger, fuller lips or lash she simply does not yearn.
Her eyes are rarely on herself to fuss and primp and preen.

She looks into the heart and soul that's hidden and unseen.

For it's there she spends her fortune - simply all she can afford

To make the sweetest haven for her loved ones and her Lord.

And deep inside the chambers of this royal temple lays

The sum of all the wealth and beauty gathered through her days.

And when her life is over and before her God she stands

A shining robe He'll give her wrought with jewels by His own hand.

For every humble thought and action when she lived on earth

Will be transformed like coal to diamond, to show her soul's true worth.

Then all her plain simplicity and trust and faith will show

A beauty and a loveliness that 'divas' never know.

Trish

Hello dear friends,

A warm Wednesday welcome to L.A.C.E.
Just a reminder of the rules for this weekly meme based on Philippians 4:8 :
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:8
I invite you to link with posts that encourage us to be godly christian women, and which promote the beauty of our vocation as homemakers with joyful femininity.
Whatever is..Lovely Admirable Cheerful Encouraging ~ LACE
Link to the actual post you are submitting and not to your homepage.
You are welcome take the button on the sidebar.
Please leave a comment after linking, and visit each other.
My thanks to all the sweet ladies who make this such a lovely weekly gathering :-).
blessings..Trish

Simply Ponder

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.

Thomas `a Kempis