Run of the House

Many years ago I operated a daycare out of our home. It was one of the most difficult jobs I ever had; it was also one of the most rewarding in that I developed both perseverance and loving characteristics that may have needed developing.

During these years we lived in a modest house in town and, then, moved to a larger house on an acreage with a huge lawn. In both homes, the kids pretty much had the run of the house. I was asked by several visitors, "Why do you let them do that?" Upstairs, downstairs, family room, living room, kitchen floor, our son's bedroom, a closet or two, inside and out...

I felt that the children should have the freedom to play what they wanted, where they wanted--with boundaries, of course, and a definite routine--rest time after lunch being one of my favorites. Keeping them to one room would have eased my job but prevented their independence and learning experiences.

I couldn't help but remember my day-care experiences when I read this morning's Bible verse: Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other... And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives... Colossians 3: 16+ [MSG]*

This verse is actually liberating, unfettering, unshackling....
Let Christ live IN YOU (you are the house) and be a part of every experience you have, every person you meet. Where you go, He goes, hand-in-hand. He's your guide, your friend, He's IN YOU. Let it happen. Let Him have the run of your house.






*MSG is the Bible in contemporary language created by Eugene Peterson, published in segments from 1993-2002, translated from the original languages. 

Minimalist

According to a google definition, a minimalist is one who keeps things very simple, a person who has a few possessions. It can refer to lifestyle, art, or politics. To be a minimalist, one must ask questions and identify what is of value and what is not. This would involve removing all clutter from your life, using your finances for things more valuable than possessions. Doing this might allow for more freedom, more time to do the activities you enjoy and therefore less stress.

Hallelujah!

I could clear half of my stuff out of our house and still live very well. Plus, I wouldn't have to take care of it. I would have less decisions to make, as in, should I clean out the closet today or dust the  collective items on my various shelves?

If Jesus were on Earth today, he would be considered a minimalist. He would live in a simple home, eat simple foods, wear ordinary clothes, and spend his time out and about with others--speaking of God's incredible love.


Hallelujah! Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again--rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Pretending

As a young girl, I would get out the Sears and Roebuck Catalog when my best friend, Donna Mae, came over and we would play "Choose One." The rules: 1) Take turns 2) When it's your turn, choose one item from a page. 3) It's yours! 4) If you choose to "skip," then your friend has to choose from that page. 5) You would therefore get the next two pages--without looking ahead to see if there was even anything you wanted. A risk, indeed.

This could take up an hour or more of our time. We pictured ourselves in beautiful coats and shoes, acquiring new furniture for our bedrooms, and riding a colorful bike right out of the catalog. I recall wishing that she would "skip" a page because there was an item I oh soooo wanted on that particular page. Sometimes, we were generous with each other's wishes.

When alone, I imagined myself as Peter Pan because Peter could fly; it looked like a lot of fun and freedom beyond my farm life miles and miles from anywhere. We had a tree house in our grove where there were pretend opportunities. What if I lived alone, here? What would I eat? Where would I sleep? What if someone drove down our long lane.... would they find me here hidden in the brush and brambles leading to the fortress?

Our pretending games change as we get older. Although being Peter Pan is still tempting, taking an American Airlines flight is more practical. Along with the mystery, I see the potential of poison ivy and insects when I view a grove. My current pretending has to do with reality. I'm wishing for serious illnesses to disappear, a grand child's success at school, a broken relationship to be healed.

My pretend times have turned into prayer times...

Thank goodness, we do not have to pretend with God.
Thank goodness, we have a God that hears us.