Friday, October 22, 2010 - I'm an idiot

I'm re-reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood because sometimes I'm an idiot who complicates my own life and then wonders why I'm stressed and lacking joy. The book contains plenty of the practical advice and suggestions I expect to find in such a book: use what you have; borrow instead of buying; enjoy free and/or inexpensive entertainment and recreational opportunities; work toward being debt-free; downsize; de-clutter for efficiency, and so forth. But Lockwood surprised me with the extensive chapter on simplifying relationships since they cause a great deal of  joy-stealing stress. 
   In the chapter, Lockwood revisits the vaguely familiar idea that we can't have positive loving relationships with others if we don't first love ourselves. Her top two suggestions for loving yourself? 1) Take care of yourself physically by getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food, and exercising in the fresh air;  2) Take time each day "to read something uplifting, pray, meditate, worship - whatever you do to connect with your inner self and the universe within or beyond." (p. 169)  Yes, her phrasing and words smack of the New Age philosophy of "whatever works for you" but don't you find it interesting that readers of this secular book are encouraged to reach above themselves to take care of themselves? Isn't her prescription for living a life of simple joys a generic version of God's original prescription for Adam and Eve to walk in the garden with Him daily? It's fascinating to find this fundamental Christian discipline supported in a book for idiots as if everyone understands that our welfare and the welfare of those we love depends on fulfilling our basic relationship of communing with and worshiping God. Our Great Physician knows what makes us tick. We don't need a second opinion - even if we're idiots sometimes. 

Lord, forgive us when we don't follow Your loving orders to take care of ourselves by spending time with the One who loves us most.  We need You first and foremost. We can't do anything of spiritual value apart from You and yet, like idiots, we keep trying. Sweet Father, be patient with us and help us answer Your call to walk with You in the path You've laid out for us today. Don't let us waste a minute stressing over things that don't matter or trying to make perpetually unhappy people happy. Guard us from our own tendencies to take on too much and increase our faith as we turn difficult situations and people over to You. You've spread joy through this day if we'll stop and enjoy Your Presence. Rehabilitate us from thinking we can live any kind of meaningful life and ignore Your commands to love You, love ourselves and love others as we love ourselves.


"Surely You have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence." Psalm 21:6


"and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure." Proverbs 2:4