Community Post: Simplicity Simplified

When my husband is home sick for a couple days; when winter makes spring appearances leading to full-moon type behavior from the kids; when my work is jolted. It's moments like this I long for simplicity.

When our family isn't well, our home is a mess, and my work in all its forms continues to grow—that I want to quit technology, give up pursuing work I enjoy, and throw our stuff over our third floor railing. These are the moments I long for simplicity.

I'm not talking about the simplicity you find in the next minimalism book. I don't want to research the next right steps to declutter, take on a new project, or add one more thing to my to-do list. I simply want simplicity. In all true-ness of the word. And I want it now, before I go insane.

I'm talking about simplicity, simplified. Not Americanized, the way we've turned it into an abstract thing that takes special skills or abilities or requirements to pursue. How we're so far removed from that allusive goal to "simplify."

We like to think certain people are prone to need simplicity or adapt to it better than others. One friend lives simply with her family on their own little piece of country-side. My brother and sister-in-law actually chose to sell 90% of their possessions to remodel an Airstream and live in it. And my own OCD tendencies make simplicity necessary before I break down in all-out depression.

We like to think these are unique cases. But I think this is a misconception. We all need simplicity and we all have access to it. Not ten years from now when the kids aren't so needy, or five years from now when I settle into a groove of following my calling, or even next week when I can finally check one particularly looming task off my list.

We have access to simplicity today.

In this moment, we have the opportunity to pause. To count our blessings. To focus on the Kingdom. To thank the King for His provisions. And in these simple acts, take on Kingdom Contentment and simply live.

Kingdom contentment—that's what I'm finding is the answer to a happier, simpler life now. It's what brought Paul to write about rejoicing in all things while he was in prison (Phil. 4:4). It's what moved David to praise God for bringing him to a "spacious place" while he was pursued by his enemies (Ps. 18:19).

It's what empowers me to refuse, to rethink my needs, and not add one more thing to my to-do list that is not necessary. It's what encourages me to pause and enjoy this moment, before my kids aren't kids anymore. It's what reminds me to ignore the mess long enough to thank God for a home to mess up.

It's what energizes me to love when I feel like there's nothing in me to give. A pause in His presence is all the simplifying focus I need to refresh and live simply by Him and for His glory. Simplicity at its finest.

Trina Cress of Lincoln, NE, blogs at Beginner Beans, where this article first appeared. Reprinted with permission.

Simplicity at Work

In our complicated, 21st century, high-tech, high-speed world, people have begun to crave a simpler approach to life and work. In the series Simplicity at Work, The High Calling explores simplicity in the places we work and the ways we work; and, perhaps more subtly, we want to explore simplicity at work in us through a variety of stories that reveal ways people find freedom and success when they simplify. Join us for Bible reflections, featured articles, and discussion. Invite your colleagues to do the same.