simple and wonderful, nothing (and everything) remarkable
do the most natural simple thing – the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there
the title of the piece is the initiative against depression. oswald chambers wrote it. a friend of mine shared it on facebook tonight. an initiative against depression; we have to do the next thing and do it in the inspiration of God . . .
the angel did not give elijah a vision, or explain the scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable; he told elijah to do the most ordinary thing, viz., to get up and eat. if we were never depressed we should not be alive; it is the nature of a crystal never to be depressed. a human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. there are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.
we humans, we people, have the capacity for depression. and often, what gets people up and out of depression is someone telling them to get up and eat - to do the next thing - to take a shower and get dressed - to step out the door - to walk - to look up - to see the sky - the simple things. i know. from experience. ben did that for me. many years ago, now. and God was the inspiration - for both the telling and the doing.
and now - for every day - i love this line the inspiration is to do the most natural simple thing – the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there.
here, in minnesota, this time of year can be long, can be wearing, can be depressing. the daylight is still short. the air is cold enough to hurt. the wind whips the snow into dirty drifts. the warmth and brightness and bustle of thanksgiving, christmas, the beginning of the new year and even valentine's day is over. the rest of february and march stretch out dark and cold.
so, i say to myself, and to you, my friends, get up. get up a little early, even, so there is time to use the favorite body wash, find that favorite sweater, put an extra bit of time and effort into your appearance, savor a warm cup of coffee, read a few beautiful words, and not be rushed into the day.
step outside and look up. see the sky. find the contour in the clouds. be surprised by sunlight - even just a single ray.
breathe in. breathe in the fresh, cold air. breathe in the steam from the shower. breathe in the sleepy smell of your kiddos in the morning. breathe in the savory mix of spices in the meal you cook.
look at the people across the table. see the smile wrinkles in the corners of their eyes; make those wrinkles deepen.
put your hand on someone's shoulder. really feel the warmth of them; let them feel the pressure of your hand. connect.
ask someone how their morning is going, how their evening was, and listen. listen to their answer. listen to their heart. really hear them. and affirm them. don't say a whole lot in return. just a few words that let them know they were heard.
buy or make a favorite treat and take the time to really taste it. the sweet and bitter of chocolate, the tartness of lemon, the tang of citrus, the saltiness and crunch of popcorn.
tidy a counter top. set out a sprig in a vase. leave the kitchen (and the bathroom) sparkling tonight as a blessing for the morning.
and in the little things, in the little things you will find peace. in the little things you will find rest. i know. i find Him there. His Name is Jesus. and He says, get up and eat. and He exalts the humble moments with peace, with rest, with joy.
He is simple and wonderful.
{thank you, jamie, for the word pairing. simple and wonderful. thank you for sharing the reflections - yours and oswald chambers' - that spurred my reflections this evening.}