Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Enjoying Your Surroundings

There is something to be said for seasonal changes. No matter where you live across the globe things change. Here in America seasonal changes vary greatly across the states. This year in Florida it is cooler much earlier than normal. I have barely run my a/c this month. Typically, this month is an average heat month, but still warm. Those thick and fuzzy Halloween costumes that can be found in abundance are not good choices for Florida children, because it is usually too hot and humid for them. But this year is different. And it isn’t just Florida. I have noted recently in the news that some states are experiencing record breaking lows…record breaking going back 200 years or so! Some of you may already have had snow! This has brought to mind the ease of finding some simplicity in a chaotic lifestyle.

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year. When others are just getting rolling with the start of school, the rush of extracurricular activities, sporting events, and planning for the upcoming holidays, it’s the perfect time to slow down! Yep, I said it. Slow down! Take time to enjoy the changes going on in God’s world. Although we don’t have the beautiful external changes in Florida, we are more than ready to slow down our lesson pace during the day and get outside. There are trees to climb, bugs to observe, golf to be played, bikes to ride, and walks to be had, among so many others. The get out of the heat weather seems to be behind us and it is time for us to leave our dwellings. Enjoy the perfect weather for wandering around outside. Taking even a few minutes per day in your schedule to clear the clutter from your mind is a nice starting point for making the transition to a more simple lifestyle. You don’t even need to leave your yard to enjoy these simple pleasures. Taking time to just wander outside is a perfect way to celebrate the change of seasons, gather fresh air, and clear your head.

Got a schedule that has your head spinning? Try gathering some fresh air? You can take 15 minutes to wander outside and breathe in that splendid smell of a new season. It can change your whole day from chaotic to simple, just by taking time. What a perfect time to change your devotional setting to outdoors. OK, this may not be the perfect setting. If your family is anything like ours, it can be a distraction, but a good one. What better way to devote your time to giving thanks to God by enjoying the world He created for us? Some of our best devotional times are those when we are outside giving glory to God for the wonders we observe while outside. Even though these times may be short, they put everyone in a simpler mindset. There is just something about taking an outside time out that creates a slow down mind, even when your schedule doesn’t change. It’s that simple.

These are my thoughts.