Fri., Mar. 16, 2018

2 Corinthians 11:3 – But I am frightened, fearing that in some way you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to our Lord, just as Eve was deceived by Satan in the Garden of Eden.    

While in a Dollar Tree store this week, I made an impulse buy. I stopped to buy something very specific. On this day, I splurged and bought these pretty napkins. Two packages!

Why? On my way to the checkout line, they caught my eye. I loved the simplicity of these breath-of-spring napkins. And I remembered my Aunt Beverly’s words from a few years ago. At this stage her life, she said she no longer denies herself simple, yet meaningful, life pleasures. She words were something like this, “Life is too short for poor quality napkins, gritty towels and cheap coffee. I splurge on my favorite things.”

Honoring Aunt Beverly’s words, I spent $2 on these guest-towel type napkins.

Since Aunt Bev shared this with me, I often recall her words about simple things that I love.

Like nice napkins. (Notice the real napkins here as well. Another one of my simple splurges.)

Good coffee … now in my newest favorite coffee cup.

Simple holiday decorations that make the table look, well, cute.

Soft towels. Or better yet: soft towels prettily arranged in the bathroom.

We moved into our current house about two-and-a-half years ago. Most weeks, I have fresh flowers in a vase on the kitchen island. Why? Because I LOVE walking into the kitchen and smelling them. They are usually the $8.99 bouquet from the grocery store. With a couple extra minutes of arranging, along with a pretty branch from our backyard, they almost look like a bouquet I could have purchased from my sister’s flower shop. What I didn’t buy this week was fresh flowers. The island is currently graced with over dry roses in clear vase with no water. They were a $4.99 post-Valentine’s Day special. Right before we left on vacation, I dumped out the water but left the flowers. They are no longer photo-worthy.

Some other simple, yet favorite, things:

• the smell of sheets off an outdoors clothes line. I have been missing this smell for quite a while since we don’t have a clothes line. Maybe a summer project?
• Ice cream. I have eaten very few sweets since the first of the year. Easter Sunday will be a splurge day, possibly with ice cream for breakfast.
• “Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens …” Words from my FAVORITE movie, “The Sound of Music.” I never bore of watching this classic.

Too often, life becomes filled with big demands, unrealistic expectations and over-the-top responses.  We willing accept the adage, “Go big or go home” with little reflection. The flashy and noisy take precedence over the quiet and simple all too often.

But what’s wrong with simple? Easy? Low maintenance?

I believe God is less impressed with the bells and whistles than we are.

Why can’t simple devotion to God and what is important be enough?

Maybe I’m just aging out, but simple is sounding pretty good these days. Maybe next time, I’ll buy three packages of the pretty napkins. And pretend Aunt Beverly is coming for a visit.

Thank you for placing in my life several simple, yet favorite, pleasures: things that remind me how faith in You should be pure and simple.  Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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