It is time for another Five Minute Friday – Saturday style (sorry had a real long night last night and day and had to wait). Today’s prompt is Simplify!
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I have been thinking a lot about simplifying my life lately. When I read a post at Reading Is My Superpower about a book called Sacred Rest, the words that stuck out to me were “sleep is not the same as rest.” I really did have an aha moment! I believe rest is a part of my need to simplify. Of course when given the opportunity to think about the parts of my life that need rest, I was stunned to realize that literally ALL OF MY LIFE needs rest -seriously even my sleep needs rest-which means, I am far, far away from living a simplified life.
I looked up the definition of rest and found: 1: cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.
I love that last one…recover strength. For me simplifying life is about recovery. Recovering from the push and pull that comes from a life that has gone beyond full to crammed. Recovery from the feeling that we need to be doing all the time or thinking about doing and we have really hit the mark when we are doing something and thinking about doing something else. It is exhausting. I don’t think Jesus called us to have a life of exhaustion. Peace. That is what we need. Peace.
So how do we get to simplify life?
My thought is we think about the must dos and schedule the time to do them. Take the time to plan a meal, but remember that sometimes it is okay to open a can of soup or even enjoy a bowl of cereal. Remember the difference between needs and wants. Remember when you are losing your joy, you may want to stop and recalculate. And always, always start with prayer.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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How about you? How are you finding ways to simplify your life?
This is part of Five Minute Friday -yes even on a Saturday you can join in! So how about it? Learn more here.
I am posting on Saturday this week too. You are not alone. I suddenly feel the need to rest after reading your post. Thanks for sharing.
So glad I am not alone there Karen. We were up doing a bunch of things for our radio station this morning and after I read a few posts on FMF today, I ended up taking a nap. It was awesome. 😉
Right? There’s a reason that God rested in the seventh day after creating the world.
I think God totally was trying to get us to take notice there. 🙂 Thanks for visiting Tara!
“Peace. That is what we need. Peace.” Indeed!
……like the clouds clearing after a thunderstorm.
……like a cool breeze on a sweltering day.
Find that patch of holy rest and you’ll hear what the Lord desires of you.
Blessings!
How did you make a cool breeze on a sweltering day sounds so awesome when it is freezing out right now? 🙂 Thanks Vicki! Have a lovely week!
Kelly you make a powerful point. Sleep can sometimes not give us rest. I find my best rest, or time to recover strength, is from quiet time with Him, even if it’s just 5 minutes of focus. Have a beauty-full week!
I need to get back to more of that time with Him Julie. I appreciate the tip. Have a wonderful week!
Such great ideas here about prioritizing and simplifying. I can relate to the bit about doing something while thinking about doing something else. You are so right that Jesus wants peace for us. — not exhaustion and striving.
If I could just stay in the moment I would surely find more peace. How did we get here? Thank you for visiting Jeannie!
I’m going to have to check out “Sacred Rest”. I want to read some books that will help me to simplify my life – body, mind and spirit mostly. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for coming by Barbie! I hope this year will help you do just that. I was reaching out to God today in church with that thought. I want to simplify and get back to the connection with God that I need to thrive in His purpose. Have a wonderful weekend!
I liked that insight about sleep and rest not being the same thing. Getting more of both is something I am trying to do right now. My word for the year is “focus” and part of that is about setting priorities and making time for things like sleep and rest which are so important but easily overlooked. Great post!
Thank you Lesley. I read something the other day about going to bed the same time on weekends as you do on week days in order to stay rested. I really need to take that to heart! I end up staying up way too late on Friday and Saturday and suffer the rest of the week. Rest is definitely going to have to become a priority. Thank you for visiting!
This post provided validation today for me. I just prayed Philippians 4:6-7 over my life and marriage. Thanks for sharing. I love your blog and so glad to meet you in the FMF community this week.
Oh Mary thank you so much. It is a pleasure to meet you too. I pray God will continue to bless your life and family.
Kelly, such good words here! I think many of us (myself included) live in a place where our entire lives need rest. What I hear in your words is the importance of giving ourselves grace. We don’t need to always prepare the perfect meal. Sometimes, in order to give ourselves that rest, we make a simple meal (or order pizza!). We make allowances in our lives so that rest can become more a part of our mode for living.
I love where you took the word this week!
Oh Jeanne, thank you so much. You bless me so! I hope you have a wonderful week.
Love this, Kelly! I’m learning to simplify my life by allowing myself to be in the present when I’m on vacation with our kids and grandson. I try to get blog posts written ahead and just stick to the toddler’s schedule of life so that I can thoroughly enjoy it! We don’t get to see him very often, so it’s an important lesson for me to learn!
Oh Anita! How wonderful to vacation with your children and grandson. I love how you set that time with him as a priority! I dream of grandchildren. Lots of my friends are enjoying that time. So happy for you! Have a great week!