Philippians 4:11- I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

BEING CONTENT WITH SIMPLE

Life will throw some curveballs often. We will find ourselves in some unfortunate situations where we lose, we fail and we suffer great pain. Being content in whatever situation can be a challenging perspective for many. However, that can change when you forgo your peace, joy, or happiness to things that will cloud, confuse or add more complexities to those life situations. Instead, seek his truth, and you will find more clarity. If you connect with Christ as your ultimate source, he will take those complications on himself and he will be your steady silver lining, streaming through each and every circumstance.

SIMPLE COMPANY

When I was a kid, we, meaning myself, my brother, cousins, uncles, and aunts would be over at my grandmother’s house quite often. We would all start off sitting together in the living area and kitchen to spend time in each other’s company and talk. We’d joke, laugh, and just be. We would speak little or speak a lot. It didn’t matter. We were simply relaxing and felt completely at home either way. No distractions, just each other. If we never had entertainment, we had each other’s company.

SIMPLE MEALS

While over at my grandmother’s house, a meal would always be a reason to connect with one another. There never had to be a reason other than “Let’s just get together!” My family would discuss with each other what we could cook up. We would often enjoy things like homemade roast chicken, cornmeal fried smelt, baked beans, fiddleheads, or peaches and cream corn to name a few.  My grandmother, when it came to desserts, would always have something she baked to share when visiting, like peanut butter cookies, date squares, gingerbread with raisins, biscuits, and homemade apple jelly. There had been a time my grampy would catch a fish from a brook and fry it right then and there with a pot of potatoes and some peas. This is just one example of what I call the good old days… I so appreciate that we never needed to eat out at a fancy or expensive restaurant, but simply having conversations and sharing laughter over a simple meal was more than plenty. It was simple, and it was enough.

The idea was, there were no cell phones and we used one another’s presence, the silent moments, and good conversation to become the center of attention. These were golden moments. There were no big plans and no great costs but just some simple time set aside. This very idea is as simple as it can become with a full-on relationship with God. The problem becomes when we need additional catering, luxuries, and comforts before we begin to feel thankful and see value in the simple scenarios.

PRAYER CAN BE SIMPLE

Matthew 6:7- And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words

Many have avoided prayer because maybe it feels unnatural to them and that’s understandable. Hearing yourself talk out loud to someone you cannot see can be confusing at first. However, God is Spirit, and although he is unseen, he is still listening. Don’t allow this discomfort to become a barrier that stands in your way. It’s best to keep it simple in prayer anyway. This barrier that prevents some from praying leads us frozen at the unsettling question, “What do I actually say?” Once you’ve heard a pastor, preacher or speaker pray a prayer so intricately crafted, with many big words, it can be very intimidating to follow. For some, it may feel like they had no speech prepared when asked to pray. But this is not God’s desire that our prayers become some spectacular performance, suited up for show, spoken with many prestigious words, but that they are words that are simple, earnest, in spirit and truth and from our hearts. 

So ask yourself, is simple enough? Here are just some examples that can show you if simple is enough in your life:

1. When you’re thankful for the little things that others take for granted.
2. When going for a walk can be the highlight of your day
3. When you believe by faith the work that Jesus did by dying on the cross for our sins was enough, and no amount of human works or extra efforts could pay the price.
4. When having Jesus, being healthy, and having breath in your body is enough and is what truly means you’re rich.
5. When breaks, spaces, pauses, and reflections in your life, are greatly welcomed because these moments are uncomplicated.
6. When you don’t feel the need to frequently upgrade your material possessions over and over and over again because the one you have already works well enough.
7. When you can let go of the bells, whistles, accessories, titles, and personas, by being yourself in your most down-to-earth nature the way that God created you to be.
8. When you find ways to become satisfied with little, with enough, or with plenty.

The key is realizing what can be enough. Less is more at times, and simple is understanding what is essential for your current needs while adding nothing additional. Nothing more and nothing less or lacking. If simplicity is not enough in your life, ask yourself if what you need additional is really necessary. So could you become increasingly satisfied and content with that which is truly enough? Only you know. But keep in mind, God is in the business of supplying what’s necessary to your specific need. Don’t forget to seek him, then ask, and finally, be satisfied with simple being enough.