A thoughtful post on Loving Our Homes today raises some very important questions for those of us seeking to simplify.  Before we even tackle the specifics of HOW to best do our work we should rightly be discerning which of all our tasks are rightly ours to do. How much which was never intended for us to do has crept into our schedules?  I have always felt that God gave us enough time to do His will….but  that we are not necessarily guaranteed even a smidge more for our own agendas.  With that in mind if our schedule becomes impossible the first thing we do is to take a hard look and prioritize.

Along the lines of WWJD (what would Jesus do?) the question is What Would He Have Us Do?  Which things in our busy schedules are edifying?  Which are truly blessing our families and others? Which are draining us of needed resources – be they physical, emotional, or whatnot – without significantly improving a situation? There are times when a given activity keeps us spinning our wheels. There are times when a given activity does help others, but upon reflection we have to acknowledge that we are not necessarily the only, nor in fact the best, ones available to fill that role.  In fact, we may well be neglecting another task, one for which we are indispensible, while doing this other activity.

Discovering where we are truly indispensible and effective and where we are not is a necessary step towards a saner life imo. We cannot do it all so we must prayerfully consider what we are truly called to do and try to release the rest, even if for a season. This is constantly driven home to me and is likely the biggest challenge I have faced in reaching my goal of simplicity. I feel terribly guilty saying no.  I have come to realize often this has more to do with pride than with genuine feelings of helpfulness. Too often saying yes to an outside task has caused me to neglect a necessary duty for my husband or children. That isn’t true charity, which begins at home.

I am learning.  Slowly. Posts like Mrs. Catherine’s help remind me.