Simplicity

My last post wasn't the most uplifiting.  I realize this.  I have spoken to enough mothers out there to know that we all have times where we are just plain overwhelmed and there's just no masking that.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a HORRIBLE masker anyway.  If I feel it you know it. 

It's been a strange weekend.  I've been exhausted, a little down, and just short with the girls and really anyone else within a 3 foot radius.  I look around at my little house that I love and I'm seeing that lately I'm not enjoying the charm it it all...I'm seeing the list of things that need to be done and frankly I'm stuck wondering where to begin.  Remember the story in the Bible where Mary and Martha are visited by Jesus and Mary is at His feet listening to his words and Martha was busy working away in the kitchen preparing a meal for everyone and got pretty annoyed that Mary was just sitting there and not helping her?  Jesus said "Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things..."  Sometimes I ever so softly hear the echos of "Janiece, Janiece, you are worried about many things!"  Now, before anyone thinks for a second that I'm comparing myself to kitchen Martha....hold your laughter.  I'd be at Jesus' feet listening to a good story before I'd step foot in a kitchen hands down!  I'm not a meticulous housekeeper by any stretch of the imagination, but when I have a lot on my mind I just can't handle clutter or things being undone.  I just want things to be simple.  Simplicity calms me...always has.  Here's something I wrote back in 2002.  I came across it while unpacking boxes and I don't think it's a mistake that I found this.

Simplicity

Simplicity

Has eluded me

I've searched so long

Where could it be?

The craziness

It has no end

Destruction in it's path

Who can mend?

I will find simplicity

I'll search high and low

And land and sea.

Once it's mine

I'll hold on tight

My life will no longer

Be a fright.

Yes, this is my mission

It is driving me

It will be mine

Simplicity.

I'll wake early

No time to lose

I can't relax

For an extra snooze.

I'll not stop

Throughout the day

There were roses

In that field you say?

I'll be focused

I'll be strong

I've no time to hear

My favorite song.

Of course I still call you friend

You're in my heart

that has no end.

But I can't talk

Can't you see?

I must find Simplicity!

The sun is setting

But I can't stop to see

What's needed here

Is consistancy.

The moon is full

But I am drained

This journey is long

My body's strained.

It's been days

Since I've had rest

How can this possibly

Be what is best?

In desperation

I'll soon wake

How much searching

Can I take?

Perhaps I'll stop

And rest a while

It's peaceful here

I won't fight the smile.

What was that?

Was that a bird?

That's the most beautiful sound

I've ever heard!

I close my eyes

What do I see?

By my side

All along

Was Simplicity.

1/17/02

JEM

I guess this just reminds me that we are always surrounded by the simple things that give us joy.  It's just a matter of stopping long enough to enjoy them.  It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day things that capture so much of our energy.  It takes effort to simplify....but I don't know one person that has ever regreted it.  I think I just might give it another shot.  Care to join me?