Do you remember old Baloo the Bear on the Disney movie Jungle Book?
In handing out advice to his young friend sings this song..
"Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life"
There is simple living....then there is SIMPLE living.
I have always enjoyed camping back home in Oregon. Of course, it involved hauling not just a car full of gear, but as our family grew, a trailer full as well. I got a little caught up in the "just be prepared" mentality, and it took a reality check - our car, stuffed to breaking point, and our trailer (complete with baby cot, high chair and one of those handly entertainment chairs for babies) backing down into our camping spot- to bring me to my senses. I suddenly felt a bit like the Beverly Hill Billies - taking everything I owned with me whereever I went.
So I launched into a bit of a decluttering phase. All those precious collectables that were displayed on so many surfaces in my home, found their way into boxes, or out to my yearly garage sale. Clear tables and counters were now my decorating style, and suddenly cleaning house wasn't half the chore.
Then we left for South Africa. A decision to not take our belongings over in a container reduced my life to 13 large suitcases -and a few items distributed to family and friends to hold for us. NOW I thought I had mastered the "Simple Life". Even when we had to purchase new towels and such, it was with the attitude of "only what we need".
However, I must say, I really had NO IDEA what simple living - or what the "bare necessities" really were.
Before I go any further, I have to first state that there are MANY people here that live with less than the bare necessities. An extra set of clothes, so they can wash the first set is a luxury. Or a house that has walls that are solid, or a roof that will stay on when the wind blows.... there is no comparing my experiences to that of these people who really struggle to survive.
But in my little world, one that has always had certain guarantees, I am learning that one can never take anything for granted.
South Africa now has a new national anthem - Simon and Garfunkel's Hello Darkness My Old Friend. Despite warnings issued 5 years ago, it seems that South Africa is running out of electricity. Investigations have uncovered lies and deals made with neighboring countries, but all and all - at the end of the day - we now have the joy of experiencing regular "Load Sharing" as the leaders say so coyly. Random bouts of "powerlessness" strike, without warning.
First, it only meant that the ironing didn't get finished, or that we would have to spend the evening by candlelight entertaining ourselves by any means not dependant on light or television.
Not so bad!....
Until one Sunday morning - I, freshly showered, sat down to dry my hair 20 minutes before it was time to leave for church. One half of my tresses had been coiffed and styled... and the second half was dripping wet when in one quick moment our lights went out. I'm a problem solver - not one to fall to pieces to quickly when things go wrong - but here I was running up and down trying to figure out how I was going to fix my lopsided head. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Then of course there are the days that it hits the office - it's easier just to lock up and go home than to try to carry on working in a dark room, devoid of the hum of my happy computer, or the click clicking of the printers in the production room.
It's sort of like having a piece of candy yanked out of your hand, just as you have your tongue out ready to take a big lick.
Once upon a time "Carla Jones, Pioneer Woman" would have pulled out the camping stove, whipped up a delicious, if rustic meal and entertained the family with stories and games around a fire burning in the wood stove. Unfortunately, despite my desire to embrace a simplified life, I find myself instead putting the family in the car, on the way to a restaurant that offers not only semi nutritious food, but a play area for the children as well. After all...it could be a really long night!
Now, unfortunately, there are news stories that our water is not as safe as we had thought. This causes all sorts of questions in my mind - does this tea taste funny? Is this glass dirty, or is it the water? Are all of the health problems I have been having somehow related?
The rosy glow of South Africa now has a "darker" appearance - forgive the pun. I'm realizing that I indeed had boundries set in my mind, when I thought I had laid our being here firmly in God's hands. If things that I feel we depend on are not provided, I find myself dreaming about the greener grass that lies on the other side of the Atlantic. Home has a new meaning, and I am looking forward to being in a place that doesn't require me wondering if I am going to be able to provide what we consider neccessities to our children.
It's a bit of a dilemma of conscience for me - because even though my life isn't easy, it is still one that I have surrendered to God. And decisions such as where we live, or when we leave, cannot be based on things like creature comforts. So, a new stretching is taking place, and more time must be spent seeking God's direction for the next stage of our lives.
And in the meantime, I really must try to find that old character of mine " Carla Jones, Pioneer Woman".
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