A Journey in Simplicity: Living at the Right Pace
This last Saturday I ran hills with a friend and stellar athlete. I begged and begged until she brought me along on her running adventure. When we arrived to run I felt like a little puppy all hyped up on nothing but happy thoughts and naivete. It didn't last too long. Just about 3 minutes into the run it all set in, running with someone way more conditioned than me was one thing- running with that same individual up hills (aka mountains) is just out of this world insane. I had no idea what she meant when she said, "want to come running in the forest? I'll pick you up tomorrow". Only about 2 minutes after we started heading up the trails I chocked out, "how much further do you think it is to the top?" My running buddy (aka. Flash Gordon) turned around and smiled not even slightly out of breath- "I'm not a very good judge of distance" she said, and that was that.
Uhhhh, so twenty feet, thirty...nope, nothing that meager- it was a good ways up. Up and up we ran for at least a mile-and-a-half, at a speed quicker than I thought possible. We got to the top and I knew that there was no way I would have kept running if I had known how far it was at the bottom. I don't know that I would have gotten out of my warm bed had I known what was coming. The run down was ecstasy, fed by the pure delight of knowing I had worked for that down-hill with every breath and leg transforming into jell-o stride that I had taken on the way up. I loved every second, of the downhill that is. The course set out flat for a while and I again was just happy to be there, thinking it was over-completely clueless again.
Before I can say "holy atomic pile, Batman!" she silently merges toward where I know to be another mountain (by the way she calls them "hills" I must say this is very inaccurate!) even as we took that first turn in the direction of another battle my legs drained of blood and I just about fell to the path clutching something-ANYTHING to get me out of this one. But no, on and on we went. She told me to lead so I could go at my pace. But being prideful as I am I didn't slow much, I didn't want her to really know how I was dying and never take me anywhere "fun" again! Up and up, turn after turn-I tell her to take the lead again since I feel I am pushing to hard and then she turns around and tells me "we can walk whenever you need to", I smile and say, "I'm not gonna want to walk" and two seconds later I do. I don't just walk, but I stop and puke up the banana that I forced myself to eat for breakfast at the ungodly hour when my tummy was not yet open for business!
This friend of mine, Flash, she is a good friend and she felt so bad that she asked if we should head back down. Why didn't I jump at the chance? I must be part nuts too. I wanted to push on-"slower this time" I said, "but I want to make it to the top". We did, and then I got to enjoy the downhill.
Nothing too exciting happens after that. I make it to the end and live to tell the tale. But the reason I bring all this up is because for me running is one of those things that makes me think about my spiritual walk, and God taught me several things that day. I think I should know what is coming up, know how to lead, jump ahead and take the course and get it over with but pace is everything taking it just at the right speed so as not to miss out (or loose your lunch). It is just the way God works in us to not emphasize exactly the timing or quality of our difficulties (our mountains), our joy, or our sorrow. He looks at us as he leads us up the mountain the whole time judging just how fast we should go and says, "just a little further" not because to us it is a small distance, but because He knows we can make it and conquer what He has set for us to overcome! When I set my own pace in life things may appear to be fine, I may even try to pretend sometimes that they are but that is when my pace gets all out of whack and it may cost the victory of that battle if I don't take a step back and let His pace settle back into my life. He knows just how to push us to develop those muscles, that endurance and the character that He wants to see in us.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths" Proverbs 3: 5+6
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it". Hebrews 12:11
PS. I haven't eaten another banana since! Eeek! And I am not a huge wimp- we did run 8 miles that day, half of it up pretty steep hills. You try it!
I'd love to hear where God is taking you. I can't wait to hear!
If you are just tuning in now to the simplicity posts and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my other posts about this voyage:
A Journey in Simplicity
Starting Out
Fasting for Simplification and Re-Sensitization
The Moment of Truth
Breaking Bad Habits
Why We'll Never Be Content With What We Have
A Journey in Simplicity: Why We’ll Never Be Content With What We Have
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:6+7
Does our happiness rest on what we have, what we don't have, what we could have? Does your contentment rest on the day that surrounds you or the children acting up, or not getting time to yourself? It does many times for me, or at least I think it does, but it doesn't really. To be content is a major requirement of simple living. You can't live simply if you are constantly looking for better, bigger, more- that is just the opposite of simplicity. Lets check out a couple of definitions:
Simple: free from guile-innocent, free from vanity-modest, free from ostentation or display, of humble origin or modest position. ( The Rewards of Simplicity, p. 103)
Simplify: to make more simple, to reduce the basic essentials; render less complex; make easy or easier.
Contented: [pp. of content], not desiring something more or different; satisfied. (Webster's New World Dictionary)
However today I want to talk about the only area in which you are not to be ever satisfied, or contented: your walk with Christ. We are to discipline ourselves to hunger after Christ, by removing barriers out of the way. If I am consistently satisfying my hunger with momentary world fixes, I learn to not look for or covet the real complex, eternal food that comes from being satisfied in Christ alone. In this world, the getting it now always beats the wait, even if it is for something better- something incomparably deeper, richer and lasting.
It is like eating junk at all hours of the day immediately once you feel a craving, of course you aren't hungry for the real meal later on. Or for me personally God has challenged me saying, "why do you think about feeding your body good food, quality food and then feed yourself spiritual junk just enough to satisfy your craving for Me? You will always come up wanting, always come up full of discontent and never grow stronger until you learn to work on waiting, on patience".
My [daughter], give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways
- Proverbs 23:26
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty"
-John 6:35
So, if that is true why do I crave things? Why do I long for things I don't have- a full person, a person satisfied in Christ doesn't need the world to fill her, a daughter who allows her heart to wait on Christ does not long for more and more. However a woman who chooses junk over the real thing is malnourished and therefore always craving, always hungry-yet growing fat, struggling while reaching for sinking help and this is not just me...we are a malnourished people craving Christ so strongly but filling our bellies with nothing good.
So why won't we ever be content with what we have?? Because what we have doesn't make us content. I am convicted, and with tears in my eyes as I write this because I know I go the easiest and quickest way on a regular basis. I want to learn to not fill my craving for Christ, the Bread of Life with quick fixes: food, entertainment, shopping, web browsing, cheap thrills I want to be consistently contented, and fully satisfied.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
- Isaiah 55:2
I have never understood that this verse was speaking to just that, I love the simplicity of delighting in Him, no craving when you consume "the richest of fare".
Let's Talk:
I've had several of you share thoughts in person with me, or by email and some comments as well. Keep them coming!! I love hearing about your journeys. I thought I was only going to do these posts for a week, but God has other plans for me. I don't know for how long, but I know this one was from His heart.
I'd love to hear where you are at with this, where God has taking you or is taking you after reading it. I can't wait to hear!
If you are just tuning in now to the simplicity posts and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my other posts about this voyage:
A Journey in Simplicity
Starting Out
Fasting for Simplification and Re-Sensitization
The Moment of Truth
Breaking Bad Habits
A Journey in Simplicity: Breaking Bad Habits
The last several days have been interesting, I often walk toward the computer just out of complete habit and slide it onto my lap from the table and then back realizing I don't even know what I am doing. It reminds me of when I am working with our youngest son on not sucking his fingers (security thing he has done since 2 months old), it is a mindless, habit, just a go-to for him just as the computer is for me. The computer may not be your thing, but think about it for a second and figure out if it is food, relationships, entertainment or what fills you but leaves you lacking-what is your filler bad habit.
The first step in breaking a bad habit is to look at why you find this action so compelling. In other words, what's the payoff for doing this seemingly negative thing? Since you've already classified this as a "bad" habit you may be tempted to say there isn't one. But look closer. There is always a payoff. Let's say your bad habit is yelling at your kids. What's in it for you? You let off some steam and feel a little better for the moment. Or you have a bad habit of leaving the dishes unwashed? The payoff could be that you get to spend more time on the Internet! (Bad Choices, Bad Habits by Nancy Schimelpfening)
According to Nancy (let's just call her by her first name) there is a pay off which is why you practice the behavior, but also there is a trade off. The trade off is what you are loosing by exercising your go-to bad habit. Using the example from above, yelling at your kids, it is obvious what the trade off is: low self-esteem, guilt, shame, sadness, the tearing of bonds, anxiety, stress, and emotional pain. When you act on this bad habit, you are choosing your outburst of relief over your children's well being, and really even your own. When you break it all up like that it is pretty clear that bad habits, although habits should be broken because a new pattern needs to be established. Each time you are faced with a choice between the bad habit pay off and the trade off, and now you'll realise that it is a choice even though it is programmed a certain way you can work to break that. Wise choices are not easier, but they are wiser.
Bad habits are started up for a reason, once you understand that you can form good habits in their place- a positive go to so that you don't keep going back the the bad habit. Make an active choice, one that you can feel good about. Habits aren't bad, bad habits are bad. Instead of releasing your frustration in yelling choose to go for a run in the evening! It isn't bad to need a release, but you can choose where to channel it.
Once a different habit pattern is established the only way you'll meander back is if you are in denial about the original model of pay off and trade off mentioned above. If you find yourself justifying a bad habit go back and remind yourself of the reasons for not indulging, there are repercussions-some bigger some smaller but bad habits are labeled bad for a reason.
Just writing this and reading up on bad habits, I have almost wanted to write a list of things that I do on a regular basis and attack them all. But I need to have wisdom and in faith come at these bad habits one at a time with God's guidance.
Take Action: Jot down the habit you want to deal with, pick one to start with. Pray about it and ask God which one He'd have you work on first. Write out your list of "pay offs" and "trade offs". Remember it isn't easy to break a bad habit, there is a reason it was there in the first place. Establish a substitute good habit in its place.
Are you realising, as I am that you have bad habits that need to be broken in order to live more fully?
If you are just tuning in now to the simplicity posts and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my first posts about this voyage:
A Journey in Simplicity
Starting Out
Fasting for Simplification and Re-Sensitization
The Moment of Truth
A Journey In Simplicity: Moment of Truth
It is time for the moment of truth, the evaluation of those questions probably none of us is dying to answer. I am about to answer the questions I asked you to consider answering as well in this season of your life. Again, you can comment here, write it in your journal and then send me an email- or keep it completely private, it is up to you. I just hope you considered taking this first step in learning how to live your life more simply, and more based on His priorities for you.
Evaluate time and Energy:
Top Priorities: God, Family, Spiritual Growth and health, homeschooling, Church, Friends, Physical health, quality of life.
Commitments: Wife, mom, homeschooling, church, house church, house keeping, book club, reading, painting, crafting, cooking, running, gardening, animal tending, blogging
Which commitments do I value the most: Wife, mom, church, homeschooling
Account for my time: It seems very little is used for my top priorities, but I spend a lot of time thinking of how to use time for those priorities. They get neglected easier than the immediate needs- which I know are important too...but if I spent less time fiddling around, I would have no problem spending time with greater focus on my top priorities.
What I am hearing from God:
-There is no excuse good enough to loose even a day to unproductivity.
-Running in the morning (with and every-once-in-a-while evening treat run) is the way to get your day started the way it should be. Waiting around all day to run, unshowered is just not working out, plus I need that push to get up in the morning to have time with God and to myself as well before the boys get up.
-I need to get organized, my day needs to be organized. I may not know how to do that yet, but I needs to learn.
-For the rest of the year (and maybe forever) I need to use a timer for all entertainment based Internet use (including, but not limited to Facebook, twitter, blog reading, book searching, online TV streaming, you tube...). I need to figure out a daily allowance.
What to do during this week of media fast (or other type if you so choose). Yesterday at the end of this post I mentioned three different options for a media fast this week. I didn't want to leave you in the dark though, not knowing what to do with your time, besides reading the Bible, worshiping....you know :P
Once you choose an option (for your media fast), use the time normally spent on electronic media doing something completely different. For example, if you normally spend two hours watching television in the evening, use those two hours to take a walk with a friend, prayer-walk your neighborhood or pick up a long abandoned hobby.
Keep track of the time you reclaim from electronic media during your fast. I am always amazed at my options when I choose not to watch TV for an hour. Sometimes it is refreshing just to bask in the quiet for a little while. (The Rewards of Simplicity, p. 55)
I'd love to hear your thoughts, your struggles, your ideas, or what God is speaking to you during this fast.
If you are just tuning in now and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my first posts about this voyage:
A Journey in Simplicity: Starting Out
A Journey in Simplicity: Fasting for Simplification and Re-Sensitization
A Journey in Simplicity: Fasting for Simplification and To Be Re-Sensitized
Even though it hurts, for me to be useful and purposeful in life I need to shed pieces that hold me back and tether my desires, dreams and goals to anything other than Christ and what He has called me to. I challenge you to sit down and make a list right now, things you know hold you back, waste your time and/or are not glorifying to God.
There are some questions I am answering for myself (from The Rewards of Simplicity) that you may want to consider too:
Here is a list to help us start evaluating our time and energy:
- List your top priorities. What is most important to you? What (or Whom) do you value most?
- List your commitments. Consider everything, including work, church, household, family, children's extracurricular activities, hobbies, freelance work, even leisure time. Which of these commitments do you value most? Which of these fit into the top priorities you have already listed?
- Account for your time. How do you spend your waking hours? From the time you get up until the time you go to sleep, what are you doing with your time? Are you using any of your time for your top priorities? (Questions from p. 65)
Life is different for us all, and those of us with small kids know that while we would love life to flow efficiently so as to complete our tasks and enjoy life, it doesn't seem to work that way. Yet there are always things we can work on, no matter what stage of life you are in there are things that have crept in that you could do without.
Grab your list of priorities, commitments and time. Looking at each item on your list consider this:
- Does it add meaning/value to my life?
- How important is this to me?
- Does this conflict with or enhance my priorities?
- Cold I eliminate this from my life? (Questions from p.66)
Once you answer those questions honestly (which is a huge battle in itself) it is time to take action, you can do that in different ways. You could choose to eliminate one item off your list for a few days or a week, and then reevaluate. You should be able to determine quicky if it should be a permanent carving out or a toning down of that item.
Make sure you are doing this with the right motivation, " it is important to keep in mind the motivation for evaluating our time commitments and priorities-love. When we approach this evaluation with the three keys of simplification-faith, focus and function-we can be confident that the Holy Spirit will be controling the pencil".(The Rewards of Simplicity, p. 67)
After answering these questions, you may also decide to try a season of media fast, you have some different options to try:
- Cold turkey, see the problem and eliminate it all the way for a week. Keep up on email and/or use internet for work and essential research only.
- If that seems intense, try one day without electronic media of any kind. Again email and necessary research is okay for work.
- Take your pick of one of your problem media sources, one at a time eliminate it for a day or two or a week. Start with a firm goal in mind though.
Is that a lot to think about or what?! I need to answer these questions myself tonight and be honest with where I am at If you would like to take this walk with me you are welcome to follow along in comments, sending me an email if you are a more private sort of person, or just doing it without a word. Pray about what steps you should take to remove the clutter from your life.
Tomorrow (Monday) I am going to share with you what you should be doing during your media fast, it is interesting I think how a fast can leave you more nourished than when you have an array of foods (in our case media foods) to sample. This will be a great journey, so pray, make your lists, and check in tomorrow!
If you are just tuning in now and are interested in joining us be sure and check out my first post about this voyage:
A Journey in Simplicity: Starting Out
A Journey in Simplicity: Starting Out
Over the next days, and weeks consider taking a journey with me. I have decided to go on a a voyage toward simplifying my life with a strong focus on distractions. Removing things from my life in order to allow me to hear what God is saying, what he wants of me and how He loves me. Pray about it, think about it then come with me!
There is stuff I need to work on. Need an example? Sure! I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is turn on the computer. I justify it in my mind and heart as, " I just need to check email, I'm not awake enough to get anything out of the Bible yet anyway..." or other such nonsense. Then I just sit there after I check my email, and I check facebook to see what everyone is up to, then I check my twitter account and on and on. Time has ticked, before I have cracked God's word, the boys are due to get up anytime- so I grab the Bible and spend 5 minutes reading and feel justified in being annoyed with the boys when they interupt me at their regular rise time of 9am. Okay, there you have it- and that is all before breakfast!!
I picked up a book last night that has spurred me to act against this mentality, or whatever it is. I consumed chapter after chapter of The Rewards of Simplicity: A Practical and Spiritual Approach last night. I know I need change, I need to take a respite. I need real-life God time. I will not spend time with God out of ritual, but because in order to be filled by Him consistently I need my flesh to grow weak, I need His word in me, His voice in my heart where others try to creep in- I need silence of so many other things. Distractions.
I challenge you to go on this road too with me. Find the areas of clutter in your life, these can be physical stuff around your house, too much time spent on the internet, watching tv, reading, blogging, sports, cleaning the house, video game playing....there are so many time stealers out there. It can also be ways you're serving Christ out of guilt rather than obedience- all these rob time from you, your relationship with Christ and your family. Take a step back and peek into your life.
I am going to take it all on, I am inspired now so why not. For the next week I am killing my craving for the computer. I am going to pray about it and tomorrow (Monday) I'll let you know for sure exactly what I feel I am allowing to distract me, to meet cravings, or leave me flat. I want to re-evaluate what has value in my life and why it has value. What has cluttered my house, my mind and my time? For me this fast might include different things than it will for you, ask God what you run to instead of Him. Ask your husband, he would probably know! I am not going to stop blogging, as I want to post during the week what God is speaking, and some Bible verses, words God has spoken to me...all that good stuff. I would love to stay connected with you during this time, especially if you are spurred on to take this walk with me.
What distractions in your life would you have a hard time giving up? That is a good place to start. Think about it, check in tomorrow for some tips and ideas, and do pray about it- the trip starts Monday.
The Rewards of Simplicity: A Practical and Spiritual Approach
This is the book that started this all, I am on chapter 4 and will be posting different things from this book as I glean from it. It is the best book I have read yet on why it is improtant to simplify both spiritually and practically- it seems most other books cover one or the other. I highly recommend this one.
Make Homemade Butter
Homemade Butter Recipe:
What you need:
1 Ball Jar (any size- I like the quart size but you can use a smaller one if you want to make less)
1 Large pinch of Salt
About 15 minutes of your time
Fill one ball jar half way with Heavy Whipping Cream. Put a lid on it and tighten it. Let sit out at room temperature overnight- or for approximately 12 hours. This is to aid in souring process.
After your patient wait. Grab on to the jar and add a large pinch of salt to the cream. Then with one hand on the top and bottom of the jar shake with decisive churns. Not too quick, think of it as sudden pulses timed at about once every second. (This does not have to be exact- I didn't do exactly that, but I write this to let you know you aren't jiggling it constantly)
When you start to wonder if you should open the lid or you will miss it, don't. Just keep going. It happens really quick- it goes from regular liquid to whipped cream and then to butter surrounded in buttermilk with the jerk of the jar. When you see a conglomerate of light yellow butter in the middle (slightly bumpy and odd looking) you have it! You made butter!!
Butter is forming and swimming in a soft pool of buttermilk
Butter in jar after I emptied out the buttermilk
Empty the liquid (which is buttermilk) into a separate jar using a funnel. Rinse your butter with water making sure all the buttermilk is out, as this will cause spoilage. You can kneed it under the water, I would use cold though so it doesn't make your butter any softer than it already is-this will be slimy, but you could just lick your fingers off!! :P After the water that comes off of the butter runs clear your butter is good to go. Transfer to a butter mold or smaller jar if you choose. Store both butter and buttermilk in the fridge. If you want a soft butter- you can leave part of it out for easy-creamy spreading. Grab your toast and slab on your homemade butter! Or better yet- just grab a spoon! YUM!
Have you made butter before?? Do you have any tips or something I left out?? Be sure and let me know. If you have even considered it you really should- it is SO easy that you'll just want to keep it up!
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