Ninth Day of Christmas: Simply Put

I was going to write more about simplicity… but that's almost antithetical, come to think of it. Nor am I in any way worth emulating! You and I are fellow journeyers, and at most I try to point out the rocks and roots (and ruts) that I've found too easy to stumble over, especially in the dark, or/and when my attention is elsewhere. And I do try to listen to and heed some of these discoveries of yours, although more than once what's alarmed someone else as a road-hazard has obviously been little more than a chance shadow on the way. The greater problem for you, and for me (as I've learned the hard way, and demonstrated more than once), is assuming an apparent blur or gleam on the road before us is no more than a momentary shadow, or reflection. Step cautiously, there.

But for crying out loud, the more you're clutching in your arms, the less you can see of what lies at your feet! And the higher you've stacked it, the less you can see of the distance farther ahead. Let it go; if it's cool, someone else can use it, and likely will appreciate it more than you ever have. Extra food, clothing (and not just the worn-out or/and ugly stuff), media, gadgets, money (yes): none of these will come along with us at road's end; they serve only to burden us and impede our journey together… and someone else probably needs it much more than you do.

If your spiritual-/emotional-/lifestyle-arms are loaded up with all these unnecessaries, it's also a lot harder to hug and embrace and press to your heart those people you love, or who love you (not always the same people, either.) Or just to shake hands with a friend… or stranger. As Father said (and quoting my sister's own wisdom, too):

1. Is this really necessary?

2. Enjoy the silence:

- "Be still, and know that I am God."

- "Let it be."

3. Everything we have that is in excess of what we must have to meet our needs… belongs to the poor.

4. And the poor own Heaven.

Your assignment tonight is to read and meditate on 1 Kings 19:11-13a. Elijah, hiding in a desert cave for fear of his life, was told that God would meet with him. While he waited, hurricane-force winds blew past, followed by a great earthquake, and then a massive, consuming fire. Spectacular and humbling as these all were, holy-man Elijah knew they did not presage the Lord's imminent arrival. Then following on the fire there was the sound of a tiny whisper – and Elijah hid his face, and stepped out to meet God.