Simplify

I was recently helping to pack my parents house to facilitate their move to Stephenville. They had lived in their house for over 25 years and have been married 59 years. There was quite a collection of “stuff” in that house; some had not been looked at since it arrived from their previous home. We promised Mom we would make sure all of her “stuff” was safely moved. We have all of those belongings packed and moved into storage.  There is no room in the new apartment for everything, so we have simplified. It is much easier for my parents to care for the smaller apartment in its simplified mode.  After that packing/moving experience, I went to my home and cleaned out a closet. It is a start.  Jesus gives us a masterful guide to a simplified, fulfilled, joyful life.

Matthew 6:28-34 

²⁸And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  ³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

I like simple.

Dear God, Help me to seek God and value family and people more than “things”.  Thank you for your guide to the simplified life.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX