November 1, 2007

Simplicity

I attended Women of Faith this past weekend with a couple of girlfriends. It was truly a time of fun, laughter, refreshment, and reflection. Of all the things I heard, the words of Luci Swindoll resonated most with my heart:

Shut Up and Let Go!


She confirmed what the Lord's been saying: Stop the Whining! & Enough is Enough. Truly, it's time for me to let go of some things.

Within the past few weeks, I've purchased:

~Real Simple Cleaning
~Simplify Your Time
~Simplify Your Space
~Living Simply


Are you sensing the craving of my soul right now?

Inspired by Laura, I decided to make a weekly trip to the consignment shop. Today was my second drop-off. As I went through closets, purging TWO large garbage bags of clothes, purses, and shoes, I couldn't get this song out of my head.

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

There is freedom in simplicity. I'm not there yet, friends...but the pursuit has begun.

8 comments:

Alana said...

I had to chuckle at your list of books. Mine are all themed around saying "no" and stopping the "busyness". I'm not there yet either. It sounds like you are well on your way, though!

Good for you!

Julie said...

Okay Melissa, do you know how difficult it is to type while I'm dancing like a fiend to Mary Mary? LOVE this song! :)

Pardon me while I cut a rug.....

Ahem.

Okay...back now!

A close friend of mine is going to the Women of Faith conference soon. I've never been.

The books sound excellent..wait a minute, I'm sensing a THEME here!(I'm really quick that way.)

And does anything in the world feel better than cleaning out closets and ridding ourselves of junk? I think not!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Melissa...

Wasn't WofF AMAZING...I was blessed enough to be able to go months ago when they came down to Ft. Lauderdale...it blessed me so much!

I can get a true sense of where God is leading you right now, and have even experienced some of that myself...I recently posted about how to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n and am still learning how to do that myself.

We could so be sisters...I read your bio, Jane Austen, married 14 years, Starbuck's addict, not a Sunday School teacher, but I am a Pastor (does that count?)...love the name of your blog and am looking forward to reading more and more from you...

Enjoying the breath of life you are blowing all over us chicks in Blog land!

Mel @ Mel's World

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Girl - God has you on one amazing journey! I can so relate. I have to tell you, I am reading the book, "Breathe" and it is changing my life. I highly suggest it - by Keri Wyatt Kent. It is right on target...a little too close to home.

Thanks for your honesty here.

Kate said...

I love this song. I dance while I type.

We have a basket by the back door where we drop things that we have outgrown or no longer use. When it is full, off it goes. I HATE clutter. (Dust on the other hand gets the best of me.)

Kate

Alana said...

Just saw Mary's comment about the book "Breathe". I am in the middle of it as well. GOOD STUFF!!

Jill said...

Good luck and blessings on your simplifying. I'm in the same state of mind right, now. I can get the purging part done, OK...it's just the trip to the Goodwill that is hard to fit in!

Janelle said...

Good for you! I am sure you will never miss that stuff you lovingly donated. That is the best feeling!