Yesterday evening I put away all my projects and allowed my heart to quiet itself down for just a wee little bit. So much going on with our home remodeling and so many changes in my work that it's easy to get overwhelmed. If I'm not careful I get totally unfocused on just what it is I'm suppose to be doing with my life and why I am here on this planet. I really don't like chaos and struggle a bit when things in my life (and my stuff) are out of place.
And everything right now feels out of place!
Ever feel like that?
The one constant thought running through my head of late is something Miss Emily Post said many years ago...
The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S's":
Sincerity
Simplicity
Sympathy
Serenity
(Are you trying to tell
me something, God?)
A couple weekends ago I found a sweet little coffee table book at a local tag sale and I just fell in love with it. The title alone spoke to me,
A Season for Simplicity.
For twenty-five cents it was a steal-of-a-deal and I couldn't wait to bring it home and read the quotes on the inside...
For today this one is my favorite:
"Let us learn to be content
with what we have.
Let us get rid of our false estimates,
set up all the higher ideals~
A quiet home,
Vines of our own planting,
A few books full of the
inspiration of genius,
A few friends worthy of being loved
and able to love in return,
A hundred innocent pleasures
that bring no pain or remorse,
A devotion to the right that
will never swerve,
A simple religion empty of all bigotry,
full of trust, and hope and love~
and to such a philosophy
this world will give up
all the joy it has."
~~David Swing
~Circa 1945~
Can't let the day pass without pausing a moment to remember my grandfather,
Philip Webster Martin
(2/9/1908 - 10-27-92)
~Circa 1965~
"Grampa...today I am remembering you with love. Your gifted, talented hands taught me more than you can imagine and I'm so thankful for all you did for me. Today I bless the memory of you. If you were still here I'd buy you a paper bag full of black jelly beans and pistachio ice-cream (always your favorites!!). I miss your stories...watching you paint...and the calm presence you were in my life.
I will love you forever...
Gratefully, Your Bucket Sue"
~~*~~
Blessings and love to you today~
18 comments:
Oh Rebecca, what a sweet and lovely post. And yes, I too struggle with what you describe. Soon your remodeling will all be done and everything will be back in it's place. But sometimes I think God allows our "spaces" to get messy; so he can reveal HIS Truths to us in the midst of our unorganized moments...so He can remind us of how blessed it is when we hear His Whisper to us, like you have shared in this post Rebecca! You are a DELIGHT! And...I giggle when I see you write something I say all the time. More than I'd like to admit, I often say, "That's a $teal of a Deal". lol Too funny... You have a blessed day friend! Have a quiet cup of tea and a noisy scone with lots of personality! xoxo ~CC Catherine
Lovely and thought provoking post Rebecca and yes for quite a while I have been struggling with many of the same questions you have. I tend to over-complicate and over-analyze most things in my life and have been trying very hard to change that thread of behavior from running through the rest of my life.
"Simplicity", a worthy goal for 2012!
Tina xo
love the sentiments from your wee book that you found and lovely photos of your grampa ... and black jelly beans are one of my favourite too ... :) love mouse xxxx
Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Your Grandpa looked to me a wonderful, joyful man. You gave him a lovely tribute today.
Sweet memories! Precious memories! Have a blessed and peaceful kinda day! HUGS!
Goodmorning Rebecca.Oh how I loved that quote.Thanks for sharing it.
Well I hate when I start new projects alone LOL.I took on the job of removing some carpet here on my stairway.UGH!Im almost about done except for two stubborn boards that dont want to budge lol.But Im positive Im still glad I did it.Im thinking on painting them white up into the hall as well.
Happy day to you..Blessings!
A sweet post, Rebecca, ans so true. Simplicity, contentment (hopefully with great joy) and serenity is often lost in our days. But with focus and thanksgiving it can be found...and embraced! I miss my grandmother and aunt as well of my father daily...they are never far from my thoughts. That's because of the ties of love and shared experience with them that are woven so deeply into our lives they are the integral warp and woof of the tapestry. So we treasure them. Thanks so much for your lovely post and your visit!
Ruth
Hi Ms. Rebecca,
What a sweet post...I have been feeling a bit overhelmed lately and your post has just hit the spot. I need to sit a bit, pray and re-focus. Thank you my sweet friend.
Much love,
♥Ana
For so many years while working and raising my children I felt like my world was spinning out of control. Now in my retirement and our children out and raising their own, I find myself living a much quieter and peaceful life. I'm so not stressed anymore and have learned to enjoy each day as it comes. I wish this for you. Also, remember, for those of us who believe, we are only one breath away from those we love that have gone home.
What a beautiful post, Rebecca! The poem is so timely. Truer words were never spoken.:) And I love the 4 S's!
PS I love the new look of your blog! It's very pretty!
Hi Bucket Sue! Now that's sweet. Your Grandpa sounds like a really neat guy.
Thank you Rebecca for visiting my place. I'm twirling in my spirit with joy that my hubby doesn't have cancer. Praise God, Amen.
Blessings to you!
d
Dearest Rebecca,
You hit the nail on its head as I too feel 'lost' if my schedule is off because of uncertain dates, things to happen... Waiting for things that we need in order to proceed with something. Guess we all hurry through life and jump from one project onto the next one and only whine if we cannot do it as planned. Often our Creator is telling us otherwise, making us do some navel staring and start out anew with more patience, more gratitude and more content.
Your Grandfather's birth day today meant a lot to you. Today was my wedding day (Church marriage as in The Netherlands you also have a civil marriage) with my late husband... Like you, I do ponder and thoughts go back in time and we learn from it. There is always a new piece of the puzzle we will find if we search our heart for it. Than we move on, with more simplicity. After all, our exit is one without anything that we value now.
A big hug and love to you,
Mariette
Your post has a familiar ring to it. I tell myself I need to relax more. I have been decluttering as
I find the older I get the less it takes me make me happy.. Thank you for an inspiring post.
God does speak to us in so many simple ways, ways He knows will get our attention. But as for myself I often wait for the "big" moments, then He surprises me.
Enjoy this quiet time, time God knows you need for yourself, and you even blessed your readers with a very wonderful post.
blessings, jilly
Beautiful post! So glad I was able to drop by for a visit and catch up with you.
Your granddad shared the same birthday with my grandmother. He was born a year earlier. Oh how I loved her and miss her too.
Have a wonderful weekend
Love
Maggie
Hi Rebecca, what a delightful post. Thanks for all the beautiful and touching words you have shared with us. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/
Such a sweet quote and post..... we all need to stop and smell the roses each day. I too..... have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with my life. Thanks for this sweet reminder.
Your grandpa sure sounds like a great man... handsome too.
Hi dear Rebecca, Ohhhh your sweet book sounds like its full of wonderful sentiments.....
Have a wonderful valentines day....
Hugs~
Mari
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