Last week I was convinced Ben and I needed to buy a house as soon as possible because the hall closet was a bit too overstuffed. It wasn't until later that I admitted a bigger house would simply hold more
things. Not really solving the problem.
Especially because I love things. I like to shop, and I am easily bored-with styles, items, routines. I know the material will burn away, and many of the pretty things I own have already cracked or broken, and lost their allure. Just this morning while Ben was making pancakes the salt shaker was knocked down from the top of the stove and landed on the ceramic spoon rest on the stove top. It cracked into smithereens.
This motto of "less is more" has been floating through my head for several months, and it
causes me to think about living a bit more simply. I'm not very good at
this. Ok-I'm horrible at it. My friend Lisa is the opposite of me.
She is always giving things away and living very presently-talking about
what God is doing right now [as opposed to what He might do next week,
next year, or dwelling on what He didn't do in the past]. Her cupboards appear to be half empty and you can always see everything that is in the
refrigerator. She's not the sort of person to be accused of having a cluttered
home. Since we live in the same town and I see her at least once
a week, I get to glean a little inspiration from her in this area, as well as benefit from receiving the clothes purged from her closet.
Believing that "less is more" reminds me to show myself grace when I don't feel like I measure up-mostly to my own standards. This is something else I am no good at. I spend a lot of time doing things, checking big and little tasks off my proverbial list, because it makes me feel accomplished and productive. But the problem is-the list keeps growing. Just when I feel a sense of relief, another pile of mail enters through the door, waiting to be opened. Or I remember that it's been a week since I talked to my mom, and I don't have the energy to pick up the phone. Fail. Do my friends know I still care about them even though I haven't checked in? We should schedule something. And I am tired. The list could go on...but not without wiping out my enthusiasm for life and remaining grounded to who I am and what I'm here for.
Jesus told the crowds that followed him,
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Less is more.
Jesus didn't delight in a packed schedule or a home filled with a variety of material things. He didn't command people to follow him by force or lord his authority over others. He knew the true way to have abundant life-connected to the Father, and living by His will, and he invites us to live like him.
The apostle Paul boasted in his weaknesses because then God's power would be seen, instead of Paul's confidence or abilities. This is a good thing, and reminds me that less of me and more of God is actually how I want my life to be lived.
I hope to continue giving thanks to God for the daily reminders that call me to rest in his love and power, and not buy the lie that I should be something more than I am.
