August 5, 2024
Happy Monday, friends! I had a rough week, but in the midst of being sick, processing and responding to the HB68 ruling, and acclimating a puppy to my home and life, I found myself fixated on the idea of simplicity. In particular, I drew inspiration from part of Psalm 84: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God” (1-3, NRSVUE).
I have a distinct memory from elementary school. It was a cold, rainy morning in the fall when I was in the third or fourth grade. That was still an age when our moms were involved enough in getting us dressed that we all were wearing heavy coats just to walk inside the building. As my sister and I got out of the van and were shuffled inside, I looked up to the raised block letters spelling out “St. Benedict School.” On this particular morning a parent bird and two or three of their babies gathered together against the rain. For a moment I thought about being one of those birds and about being in that cozy nest curled up watching it rain. While age has taught me that those birds were very likely trying to survive, the memory has stuck with me as one of simplicity; a family huddled together against the cold, watching it rain.
A Shaker hymn says that “tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, tis a gift to come down where we ought to be…” Simplicity is definitely a gift, but it’s not so much a gift that we can give to each other. Rather, simplicity is something that is personal, different for each person. It might be a moment reading a book in a rocking chair on the front porch. Perhaps your simplicity is watching Ohio State beat Michigan in football…or any sport for that reason. Maybe simplicity is a few minutes of meditation and time in silence between meetings with clients. In Psalms 84:3 we hear about sparrows. Sparrows show up throughout the Bible and are often used as symbols of humility and simplicity. They show how God has regard for even the lowliest of creation.
The picture above demonstrates one moment of simplicity. The same is true with God. No matter what’s burdening us. No matter what’s complicating our lives. No matter the hardships and struggles we face. No matter how social media, our tech, or anything else pulls our attention away, God’s attention is always on us.
What is simplicity for you? How do you enjoy simple moments?
Let us pray: Heavenly parent, the provider of food, outfitter of lilies, painter of sunsets, you offer us joy in the simplicity of your creation, and peace in your presence. Protect us from the allure of abundance. Help us find contentment, not in things, but in our relationship with you. Draw our attention to those who are in need and we can help. Give us today our daily bread and help us to be thankful for it. Amen.
Blessings on your weeks, my friends! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Faithfully,
Ben
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