July 11, 2013

A DESIRE TO SIMPLIFY.

fern
It's funny, every few months or so I have this deep craving to simplify. I want to simplify my life. I want to get rid of stuff and just keep the important things. Well, to be honest, I really just want to dump everything out in my room and reorganize, toss, and donate all my stuff and start fresh again. But that's a little drastic.

I don't know where these feelings come from, but I just know that I want to simplify some things. I want to simplify my blog design, simplify my material possessions, and simplify my life. I want to live simply. 

I kind of secretly want to live in the country. I want to listen to the birds in the morning, watch the sun rise over open fields of wheat, and harvest my dinner out in the yard.

But do I have to live on a farm to achieve simplicity? I'm pretty sure that country-residents (country-folk sounds too stereotyped for me to write) don't want me living with them. I'd be the girl typing up a mad storm on her front porch instead of planting seeds in the garden. I wouldn't have a farmer's tan and I would most definitely cry if I got a bee sting (mostly because I've never been stung).

So even though I would love the change of pace, I don't need the country to live simply. I need Jesus. I need Him to be the focus of my life. I need to change up my priorities. And if that includes a re-designed room to reflect my priorities, then so be it.

I just want my life to reflect Him. I want Him to be more than just the center of my life. I want Him to be my everything.

But it's hard to do that if I don't take a step back and let go of things. Let go of my worries about money and future tuition costs, let go about my worries about what's in (or not in) my dresser drawers, let go of my worries about who looks at my blog.

I need to cling to Him and let Him be the most important thing in my life.

So no, I don't necessarily need to let go of things to live simply.

In fact, I need more of something.

I need more of Jesus.

35 comments

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    1. Thanks girl, sometimes it's the little emoticon smiley faces that hit the spot feedback-wise. :)

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  2. Amen, girlfriend. Thanks for the reminder :)

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  3. Amen friend, amen!
    It's true...simplifying doesn't mean that you have to do a complete 180...it's about letting Jesus in to help SHOW YOU where you need to change things! <3
    P.S. that picture...*swoon* love it!

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    1. Exactly! There are still times when I want to simplify, but I've actually had the feeling fleet once I realized that I didn't need simplicity to make my life feel calmer, I just needed Him.

      And thank you! That photo is from last year (but don't tell anyone I recycled an old photo!). :)

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  4. Psalm 116:6, 'The LORD preserveth the simple:...'

    "I kind of secretly want to live in the country. I want to listen to the birds in the morning, watch the sunrise over open fields of wheat, and harvest my dinner out in yard."
    GIRL, you should come and live in South Dakota with me! :) except I don't really harvest dinner in my yard....

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    1. Ooh. What a fitting verse, girl!

      And if only! I would definitely come visit you--we could take tons of gorgeous sunset photos together.

      p.s. I only included that harvesting dinner part because I love when lists are in threes so I had think of something on a whim and it stuck. :)

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  5. wow! this is exactly how i feel all the time! you go girl!

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    1. Thanks! And I'm so glad I'm not alone in this feeling. It's always nice to be reminded that I'm never alone--not only is God with me 24/7 but there are other amazing people who share in my feelings and experiences. :)

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  6. I feel the same exact way. In the past few months, I've tried to decrease my spending and reduce my possessions, but what really helps is spending time with Jesus :) Love this post girl!

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more. And I really think it's good to do both. I've found that when I cut down on my spending and materialism, I realize how much I really have (especially in Christ!).

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  7. Amen! I get this feeling of the need to simplify every once in a while as well. But yes, we need Jesus. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. I think it's all about doing both. Because it's when I simplify, that I also realize how much I have and how I really don't need material things to make me happy. But for me right now, it was all about realizing that I really do need Him right now. :)

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  8. Hey Kiki... I guess in reading this (which is written beautifully, by the way), I just think: why not? The two things aren't mutually exclusive. Why not simplify your life? Why not get rid of your things? More radical things have been done? Why not clear more space? Maybe you're seeking more SPACE in your life.

    I believe that the things we want a lot of times are little... compasses, little urges that guide us to our destiny. To the best life we could live, the one that's been designed for us and that we can have if we choose to tap into it. Could this be a little piece of your intuition tapping you on the shoulder and whispering to you, opening you to a path that you're wanting to take?

    I think sometimes we think we know best and that staying put and being happy and grateful with that is what God wants for us. And I can't speak to what God wants for anyone else, but sometimes I wonder if we decide for him instead of listening. And maybe that urge to simplify and do something radical isn't in opposition to your craving for more Jesus, but what if it is a part of it?

    I feel like God gives us pieces to a puzzle without giving us the big picture because it would overwhelm us. But what if simplifying your life begins to lead you down a different path... a path where those worries begin to be taken care of? Just wondering! ;)

    Thanks for sharing, as always, Kiki!

    --Erika
    http://www.chimerikal.com

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    1. I totally get what you mean and I actually agree with you, too. I'm constantly cleaning, organizing, and simplifying my room so I definitely know that it's always better to live with less stuff! Not only does cleaning re-energize me but it makes me realize that I don't need material goods to be happy. I just need Him. :)

      And so many wise words in your comment--I especially love the part about our tendency to decide for Him instead of listening to Him. There are definitely times when I feel like I say no to what He has to say to me instead of saying yes.

      I think that when I wrote this (yesterday or the day before), I was in the mindset of feeling like I needed something new. And while I do think change is good (as hard as it is!) and while I do think changes in my life are going to be happening, I think God was telling me at the moment that I don't need to do something to feel happy. I just needed to open my eyes to what I have and realize that I don't need to necessarily do something to feel better about myself.

      So yeah. I guess I'm kind of contradicting myself because I'm still working through this and I know that simplifying is always good for my soul and that change is, too. :)

      And love that puzzle metaphor! God really does give us puzzle pieces so He doesn't overwhelm us with all of His great plans.

      Thank you for your honesty, wisdom, and encouragement! Girl, you push me to think harder and really pursue Him more so thank YOU for that! :)

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    2. And thank you, Kiki! For your honesty, for your openness, for putting it all out there.

      THIS: I don't need to do something to feel happy. I just needed to open my eyes to what I have and realize that I don't need to necessarily do something to feel better about myself.

      I love that. And that's the missing puzzle piece! ;) I get it now and I think this is awesome.

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    3. Thanks for pushing me to find it and write it out! It's hard sometimes, but reading thoughtful comments like yours remind me that honesty is the best policy--especially while blogging!

      And I'm glad you understand. I still want to live simply, but it was this realization in the post that really helped me process it all.

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  9. Country life is seriously my dream life. And living simply like that is the most fantastic idea to me. Sometimes I think I almost idolize simplicity in itself. But your right focusing on Christ makes you live simply just because all other things will fade away from focus.

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    1. I think I would like country life, too! I've loved our family road trips to the farms and such and the city I live in really isn't that big (I'm definitely NOT a big city girl. Crowds and I don't mix well!). :) But I'm with you, at the time when I wrote the post, I think I was also idolizing simplicity and didn't realize that I needed to get my priorities straight and realize that it's not about big changes, it's about a big God. :)

      But that doesn't mean I don't dream about living simply + without much stuff in the quiet of the country every now and then!

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  10. Amen girl! Love your heart. :)

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    1. Amen is right! And thanks, I really appreciate hearing that (and I think the same thing about your heart, too!). :)

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  11. Thanks, girl! It's hearing Amen's like that that really affirm me in my faith and keep me going, so thanks again! :)

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  12. This is exactly what I needed to read right now. Thank you
    Issy x

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    1. No problem! I always love hearing that posts like this are understood by other people. It makes me that much more thankful for the blogging community. :)

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  13. AMEN!!! AMEN!!! AMEN!!!!!!!i needed to read this!

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    1. Glad you could relate to this! It's funny, every time someone comments on here, I find myself re-reading this and reminding myself how much I need Him in my life. :)

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  14. This is SO good!! I'm the same way it many respects. I have a yearning to simplify and am routinely organizing and throwing things out (it feels sooo good!). And I've dreamt of moving to a farm as well, and I think I'm right there with you... I'd be journaling and sitting out on my porch with a cup of tea, admiring the view while my neighbors would look over and wonder when I pull my weeds or fees my chickens (I'm scared of live chickens, so I would be horrible) .

    But you're right. All we need is Jesus to help live more simply. He gives wisdom regarding what is a waste of time and can be discarded versus what is valuable and worthy in his sight.

    Elena

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    1. Cleaning and re-organizing is definitely refreshing and energizing--it's one of my favorite things to do when I feel overwhelmed or bored (or just in need of a change). And I would love to live in the countryside and try to simplify my life and materialistic habits--so I see nothing wrong with that lifestyle.

      It's just that at the time, I was focusing so much on wanting something instead of Jesus. And Jesus really does simplify our lives, too. :)

      p.s. I am SO with you on the live chicken thing. I may or may not be scared of birds... :)

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  15. Amen, sister. Sigh, thank you so much for sharing. Those are my prayers, too.

    Not sure if you know this blog, but "chatting at the sky" is a great, great, great blog. (: Check it out if you have the time!

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    1. So glad we're in this together, girl. So glad + so grateful. It's so easy to think that stuff can help us feel happier, but in the end, Jesus wins. :)

      And I have heard of Chatting at the Sky! I started reading it a few months ago and I'm hoping I can get my hands on one of Emily's books!

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