I long for simplicity and have written of it before and how it seems to be always just outside my grasp. But yet, I know God is calling me to Simplify and He spoke it again today through a new friend.
Mary and I had made several attempts to plan a time when she could help me organize a small area of my house. Just a small area, maybe a desk or my office space. We are new friends, after all, and it is a bit scary asking a new friend into one's private chaos but I took the risk and she graciously obliged.
Mary got straight to work and gently asked me why I needed FOUR calendars. (one in the office, two day timers, and the kitchen calendar) When I didn't have a ready answer she said, "Kari, just think simplify!"
Simplify: to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier
I've tried to simplify before but it really just becomes another failed attempt at organizing. That's how today began. My expectation was that she would help me cram all my junk into some bins and we'd call it good. We'd make piles for give away, throw away, and put away. We'd recycle and shred and toss. The space would appear neat and tidy (for a little while) and I'd have a sense of accomplishment.
But, organizing one's over-abundance of stuff is not the same as simplifying your life. Simplifying means doing and dealing with less so that one can be available for people and relationships.
At the end of Luke 10 we have the story of sisters, Mary and Martha, inviting Jesus inside their home. We know Martha was up and about "serving" becoming disgruntled for having to "do it all" while Mary just sat at Jesus' feet. But Jesus' words convict and comfort me within my Martha-like tendencies.
The text says "Martha was distracted with much serving...", I say, "Kari is distracted with much organizing..." Jesus tells Martha and me, "you are worried and troubled about many things." And He goes on to say, "...one thing is needed..."
Does that sound like Jesus is telling us to simplify? We get distracted by many things when only one thing is needed. I see this in a very literal sense when it comes to the amount of stuff I seem to accumulate and then try to organize.
What is the heart application?
Just what is the one thing we need?
JESUS.
And He comes with a promise. "...Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."Our time spent at the feet of Jesus in worship will not be taken away from us. Let's learn the Beauty of Simplicity.
3 comments:
This song released in 2003 by Telecast is one of my favorites. Brian Ortize, a guitarist for the band, is the son of Pastor Ken Ortize at Calvary Chapel Spokane.
I thought of you today, Kari, as I was reading "Gift From the Sea." I've skimmed it several times and read good chunks, but I can't remember if I've ever read it straight through. This time, it's like she's speaking my language. I know you can relate. :)
I'm appalled at how many books I have, how many clutched magazines, waiting for that day when I'll find time to pull out the good stuff and toss the ads. I'm appalled at my knitting supplies, and my sewing stuff, and just the sheer number of hobbies that my home is shelter to.
We'll have to sit down and have coffee, and I'll tell you about the journey I've been on the last week. It all culminated with me finding a quote I'd copied long ago from that same book: "One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach."
I just have one question: how do you know which shells to leave behind? I guess that's where time with the Lord makes the difference.
Just coming by to say hello to a friend who I KNOW understands. :)
Shannon, I can't wait to chat with you about this. It's still an ongoing battle for me but my own words are haunting me today as I read this post again with fresh insight after just losing my father-in-law.
I wrote: Simplifying means doing and dealing with less so that one can be available for people and relationships.
Ed modeled this so well. He was never too busy to attend the kids events or be available for friends, relatives, neighbors, even strangers. He was available!
I'm feeling the "urge to purge" again. Maybe we could tag-team and help each other?
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