“If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.”

C.S. Lewis

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Theodore Roosevelt

As you all know, I write about many topics but all my posts typically fit within one or more of these four categories: homesteading, homeschooling, faith, and family. The above quotes can be applied to any and all of these topics. Let’s break it down.

Homesteader? We can make do with the tools, land, and resources that we already have. There is no reason to wait until you have the “perfect” set up. In fact, traditional homesteading is about cultivating resourcefulness and stewardship right where you are with what you have. I have written in another post in more detail about this (So You Want To Homestead) but if you don’t have a huge garden, a windowsill herb garden and a tomato plant in a bucket will still make you a homesteader. You can live the homestead mindset in an apartment, the suburbs, or on 40 acres. It is less about the size of your land and more about the size of your intention to be self-sufficient, grateful, and creative with your resources.

Homeschooler? We use whatever books, experiences, and teachable moments that are at our fingertips. In my last post (Lighting of a Fire), I talked about this in a lot more detail – life is just an amazing teaching opportunity! You do not need to “have it all together” before starting. You do not need to have the perfect curriculum or a Pinterest-worthy learning space (thank God!). By using the resources you have, you show your children that education doesn’t require constant consumption. It’s a mindset of curiosity and resourcefulness.

Faith? We trust that God has equipped us for the season we are in, not the one we imagine. Just think of the boy with five loaves and two fish in John 6. There was no banquet prepared but in Christ’s hands, it became more than enough. That miracle didn’t start with what might be; it started with what was already there.

Family? We are building traditions, memories, and relationships right where we are, even if life feels imperfect. When children see parents making the most of what is available, they learn resilience, gratitude, and joy. It teaches them that love and connection aren’t dependent on ideal conditions – they are nurtured by presence and creativity. Many of the stories passed down in families aren’t about perfect moments – they’re about the funny, messy, resourceful times when everyone pitched in and made something out of nothing. Those are the memories that grow roots.

As you may already know, I have been struggling recently with not feeling like I have enough time to devote to my children (especially now that they are reaching preschool age) because of my dairy goat herd. I kept thinking, if I just had more time, more organization – THEN I would feel better prepared to start doing more with my children. I felt like if I sacrificed my love for my dairy goats, then I could move forward and have the time to do more with my children. What I discovered is that my children love the goats too and why couldn’t that be an opportunity that we could spend time together and learn?!

As I moved forward into that thinking, I realized if I just cut back numbers a little bit, especially a few of my higher maintenance goats, I could free up a little time and also have some great learning opportunities still available through the goats and management of the herd for my children. Yes, some sacrifices are made when you have children, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything.

I encourage you today to look around at what you have and start with today’s blessings. No great changes are necessary. Just get to it with what you have. You might be surprised with how things work out.