November 26, 2012
1

65 STEPS

I live in a big house.  A really big house.  When we built it and moved in ten years ago I rejoiced in its spaciousness.  One time I even counted the steps from our bedroom to the laundry room (65!) and saw the distance as a way to increase my exercise.

Times have changed.  The kids are grown up, the hubby has retired, and we are much more aware of the environment and our impact on it.  We’re more than ready to downsize.  Those 65 steps have become burdensome.

Recently I carried a load of clothes to the laundry room, only to have my husband call out, “Did you get the shorts I left on the floor of the closet?”  Resisting a snarky response I retraced my steps, muttering the whole way under my breath.  But then a remarkable thing happened: I was overcome with gratitude-

-gratitude for having a husband who needed his shorts washed

-gratitude for knees that were a bit creaky but still moved me when and where I wanted

-gratitude for the beauty of the house I walked through

I thought how much of life is like that “journey” between my bedroom and the laundry room.  I can focus on the negative or I can actively look for God’s presence and grace.  Willie Nelson may sing “and there was darkness on the face of the earth,” but as for me, I prefer the psalmist’s words of hope:

“Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as day.  Darkness and light are but one.”  (Psalm 139:13)

With the Light,

Debra

About The Author:

My simple life… is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God lead me. I have been married to Greg for 27 years and we have three wonderful children. My simple life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God take control. I followed God’s call to begin seminary at Perkins School of Theology in January 2006. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God’s call. I began the Degree in the Art of Spiritual Direction at San Francisco Theological Seminary in January 2009. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and spent three amazing years in Pastoral Ministry at Highland Springs Senior Living in Dallas, TX. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. My passion is the Christian Spiritual Life. As a spiritual director and retreat leader, I am so blessed to hear how God is at work in the world. How is God at work in your life?

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