Thursday, April 21, 2016

simplicity 2016: finally reading "seven"

I've been a reader and a learner almost my entire life.

My parents taught me to read around the age of five, I hated the stupid books I had to learn to read with, and then I discovered Disney.

And that changed everything.

I think my dad was the most proud and also relieved, because the idea of having a child who hated books really bothered his bibliophile's heart.

This love of knowledge is great. And being a lover of books is great.

Except when I keep buying books, putting them on my shelf and reading BuzzFeed for a thousand hours.

Am I learning? Sure. About which Beyonce song best describes my life. Or the 21 vegan spots in London I just CAN'T miss. Or that I can purchase and own Kim Kardashian crying face earrings. Cause we all know that's a priority.

All this brings me back to my theme for the year. And how I've been falling off that wagon recently. Oops.

My friend Renee suggested this book to me about three months ago.

In a nutshell it's about simplifying your dang life.

And in a broader sense... I have no idea, because I haven't started it yet, and it's 6 days overdue at the library.

Which means I will owe the library $.70 if I return it today, and more than that if I actually read the book before returning it.

Oh hey simplifying my finances! That makes tons of sense to have overdue library books. I'm really only fooling myself that I am practicing simplicity by using the library instead of Amazon Prime.

Moving on....

I'm going to read this book. Hopefully by the weekend. I'm going to not watch my shows on Hulu until it's done. Wait for me Olivia Benson!

And hopefully, I will have gained some good nuggets from this paperback self help book vs BuzzFeed telling me which donuts I should eat. I can't eat donuts you horrible cretin!

What kind of sick twisty trash is this website anyway.... (who am I kidding, I will never stop reading).

Signing off to go read now. I'll let you know how it goes. When I've read it. Completely. No skimming allowed.

#simplicity2016

Monday, April 11, 2016

simplicity 2016: mark one thirty five

Jesus, teach me to pray like you. 
teach me to always have my heart in a position of prayer. so that my actions and my words are consistently and worshipful for prayer.

prayer is an intimate conversation I have with my Father every day.

and it's amazing.

but sometimes I'm not very good at it.

on Saturday morning, early, He showed me how He loves to talk with me.

my heart felt recharged and I felt challenged to make my time with Him more intentional and special. 

then last night at church, the Spirit hit me there again.

guess it's what I needed to hear and focus on.

so Lord? please never stop teaching me how to pray....

{for prayer - a poem about worship}

the sun went down
the lights are low 
the candles lit 
for prayer 

my phone turned off
the tv dark
my book is closed
for prayer

my pen is ready
my journal open
names are flowing 
for prayer 

the Father hears me
the Spirit guides me
the family gathers
for prayer 

i know He loves me
i know He seeks me
i know He joins me
for prayer

a sacred place
a scheduled time 
a somber night 
for prayer 

#simplicity2016

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

simplicity 2016: peter rabbit's garden

"once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were--flopsy, mopsy, cottontail, and peter." - beatrix potter

over one year ago i made a list. a list to plant a garden.

a list that i named 'peter rabbit plants a garden'

(because if you have never read anything by beatrix potter, then you must.
it is whimsical, delightful and takes you back to simpler times)

but i never planted the garden. i didn't make time, and before i knew it, the winter came and went.

and no garden.

this evening, the sun was too beautiful and the wind too sweet.

i couldn't keep myself from buying seeds and finally planting my garden.

you see, i come from a family of green thumbs, but haven't ever dabbled in it myself.

i'll eat what my uncle grows all day long, and i adore the smell of fresh flowers.

i guess i'm just nervous i'll suck at it. and i don't want too...

i purchased a lavender plant, a white bleeding heart, and three herb packets. 

some lovely pots and organic potting soil.

even if my little garden fails, the pure bliss of digging my hands into that soil and walking around barefoot makes it worth it.

so my little seeds are in the ground. covered, watered and tucked in for the night.

and hopefully, in two weeks, little sprouts of basil, parsley and cilantro will erupt from the ground.

life will begin and freshness will burst forth from the earth.

and that's so beautiful. beautiful because we get to see the miracle of life. a miracle that our Jesus gave us when HE created
our world.

it's something that constantly blows my mind. 
because it's complex, while still remaining simple.

plant. water. tend. gather. repeat.

simple and beautiful. 

#simplicity2016