The Simple Life

Apparently, this is National Simplify Your Life week. I’m a little unsure as to what all this is supposed to entail, but it certainly sounds nice.

If only it could happen in a week.

The calendar in my kitchen has beautiful photos of serene settings–each one designed to inspire a life of simplicity. Each month is also complete with some Chinese proverb or inspirational quote from a famous person. 

Indeed, the calendar’s name is Simplicity, Inspirations for a Simpler life, though it would be hard to see this from all the days filled up on most of the date squares every month. Doctor appointments, dentist appointments, meetings, get-togethers, hair cuts, company coming, company going, traveling.

Rarely do my eyes move up from the month of activity-filled days to rest on the scene of flowers intertwined along a picket fence, or a tableful of peaches resting in the middle of a perfectly clean kitchen.

All I can say is, that kitchen hasn’t seen the likes of a child-or a live person-in awhile. Not a sippy cup, dropped Cheerio, or half finished cup of coffee in sight.

With a toddler, a husband, a baby on the way, my house is seemingly in constant need of cleaning, organization, and de-cluttering. When I am able to briefly stand mesmerized in the peacefulness of the calendar’s pictures, I’m snapped back to real life by the beep beep of a toy truck or a little boy grabbing my legs from behind.

But you know, this is just fine. In spite of the fact that moments of real rest and rejuvenation in my day job are rare, this life is one for which I am thankful.

So, here’s to the week, and all it represents.

…Do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life –Robert Louis Stevenson, whose quote appears in that kitchen calendar

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

– I Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)