Simply Put...

The word of the day for me has been "simple".

It keeps popping up every time I turn around.

Like the lady who talked to me about growing up on a farm - feeding chickens, fishing in creeks - and how it was a better time. She finished her moment of nostalgia with the statement: "I guess it was simpler times."

Or the numerous comments about the hotdog & marshmallow roast one of our Sunday School classes had this weekend. Is it a coincidence that they all loved it and all identified that it was restful time to have no agenda other than to visit around the fire?

One lady referred to it as "simple".

See, so often I feel this pressure to do more. Do bigger. Do faster.

I confessed to the "simple"-comment lady that I always feel this pressure to have an agenda, thinking that's what people want.

But maybe we just want things to be simple. Maybe God even desires that for us.

One of my favorite statements regarding the disciples is found in Acts 4:13

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

See, the disciples were just ordinary men who were used by God to do extra-ordinary things.

Maybe it was because they had rid their lives of complexity to the point where God could use them. Too often my plans, my agenda, my calendar get in the way of listening to God and loving others.

Maybe we need to try to be more simple. How can you simplify this week?