Simplicity and Ordinariness

Spending time at the beach (or near a body of water) provides an atmosphere in which I hear and see more clearly.  A recent visit to the ocean launched me into thoughts of simplicity - living life with clarity and purpose.

I had an opportunity to reflect on a visit with dearfriends.  While sharing time with them, I was given gifts of encouraging words that spoke specifically to my heart ponderings.  I was far from the beach physically, but the effect of that time of sharing was like a week on the shores of my favorite part of the ocean.  The simplicity of living an authentic life - knowing who I am, what my gifts are, and the guiding principle for living out the who and what of my life resurged within me.  I am grateful...

"So, simplicity and ordinariness are not gifts that come of just making our outward life circumstances small - though certainly simplifying our life is a wonderful step.  Instead, simplicity is primarily grown in the interior soul.  It is an outgrowth of our having clarity and warm acceptance of an identity, a mission, and a philosophy of life that are life-giving." Robert J. Wicks

I give thanks for:

#282 sand on toes

#283  songs on lips

#284  belly laughs

#285  seeing flowers on the table

#286  hearing birds chattering

#287  smelling lavender leaves

#288  feeling husband's chin stubble

#289  tasting sweet blackberries and blueberries

#290  the discipline of gratitude

#291  Being known by the Lord