"God made us plain and simple; but we have made ourselves very complicated" Ecclesiastes 7:29 TEV
Embracing the discipline of simplicity is a lifelong commitment one makes to self. In a world of constant and instant demands firing at us, being armed and ready for battle is crucial to winning the war. For some reason my life had spun out of control before cancer was even in the picture. I said before cancer. Yep. I was super woman. I put on the act like I was Mary, but in reality I was Martha...busy, busy, busy. I did it all.
Weekly Beth Moore Bible Study
Baked cookies for the bake sale
Served in the nursery at church
Delivered meals to the hungry
Scrap-booked on rainy days
Canned veggies from my garden
Sang in the choir
Volunteered in my sons classroom
Kept house
Farmers wife
And the list goes on...
When we allow ourselves to be so busy with life's demands we become cold and jaded to the very heart of God. I saw the warning flags, but I chose to ignore them. I didn't want to slow down. God had other plans. I am not saying that he gave me cancer so that I would simply slow down...no that's not the point here. I just know that part of my out of control busy crazy life effected my health. I wasn't taken care of me. I was so busy serving and being in leadership roles that I wasn't truly hearing His voice. You see I was more concerned about my Martha Stewart pie photos on Facebook than the family I was bringing the pie to. I was more concerned about how I looked arriving to school and impressing the other Moms. You get the point. When we allow our schedules to become so cluttered with things to do - even good things - we often miss the point of why. This was me. So I began a journey to find simplicity. I began to weed out some of the jobs I had taken on. I began to look introspectively at my to do list. I began to make some changes. I am so grateful I did. As I began to say no to more things, God began to speak more clearly to me. I could hear that still small voice affirming the things I was spending my time on. He kept speaking over and over...I need you to say no to some really good things, so you can say yes to one big thing later.
Later arrived on May 13, 2011 in the form of you have cancer...and the sound of bombs dropping and exploding around me was heard. I have learned that embracing simplicity allows for the storms of life to blow on by. Yes they are rocky and turbulent for a period of time, but eventually the storm moves on. During surgery, recovery and chemotherapy life went on. My husband still went to work, my son still went to school. Bills got paid, grocery shopping was done and my house was cleaned. Maybe it all didn't happen the way I wanted or planed but we all survived. I choose to not stress out and do it all. I choose to be simple. Today I have to remind myself to keep it simple sister or KISS. I can sense in my Spriti when I am taking on too many tasks. I have caught myself many times. The key to overcoming this is to be honest with yourself. Know your limits. Seek wisdom from above. Keep your personal life simple and the discipline of simplicity will radically change your intimacy level with Christ.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge the Lord and he will direct your path. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV
Amen
