One of the blooms from my bouquet of flowers wilted and wasn’t doing well today. There it was, hanging limply among the clusters of greens and other assorted blossoms. I clipped it back and decided to put it in a bowl of water to hopefully revive it.

Somehow, that one single bloom took on its own “Simple Elegance”, a simple and vibrant beauty. The unique contrast of the colors in the bowl and the multifaceted colors of the flower created a stunning and inspiring invitation to a simple moment of enjoying an unplanned surprise.

What do you have around you right now that seems wilted, broken, or snapped?

What has shredded your hope or peace?

Maybe it’s time to trim things back, let things go, simplify?

Laura IngallsWilder made a beautiful statement about this.
She said,

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

Let this week be one where we adjust our thinking, our reactions to stress, noise, misunderstandings. Let’s simplify our way of approaching others and release them from the complexities that the world demands of them for acceptance and perfection.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul says, “Make it your ambition to live a quiet life.”

By living a quiet life, I think he just means to avoid unnecessary conflict and drama. He is telling us to live quietly by doing honest work, by being gracious and thoughtful and by being simple in living.

Prayer

Father, thank you for giving me the gift of time.

I know it is all Yours and I just get to steward a little of it.

Thank you for the reminder of the precious gift that it is.

Too often, I let the hurriedness of the world get in the way of what you are truly calling me to do.

I need Your help in giving me the courage to say no to _____________________.

I ask that you protect me from the feeling of guilt that the enemy will try to put on me.

Father, I want to LIVE and not just EXIST.

I need Your help in getting rid of the noise, the mad drive to get things done, so that I can focus on the beautiful simplicity and kindness that you extend to me and can then share untarnished with others.

Thank you Lord.

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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