The simple things

I was on a family walk recently and Connie and I were just ambling along at the back with the others pulling ahead. I thought about scooping her up to catch up with the others but she was having so much fun I decided to let her go at her pace. There was actually no need for us to hurry.

It was lovely to watch as she stopped every few seconds to pick up a stone or a stick while clutching a daffodil she had found. Each new find produced a beaming smile.

We found a big puddle and it was the best thing ever splashing around – even falling over in it didn’t make her lose her smile. The sun was out and we sat down on the grass watching the geese in the lakes and pulling leaves apart listening to the satisfying crunching sound they made.

As we continued she started giving me these ‘precious’ finds – grass, leaves, bits of mud. I did draw the line at picking up poo to hand to me! It really was a sweet little time though.

It made me think how we so easily hurry along in life and forget the joy of the simple things. Also how littlies really don’t want for much – no fancy toys or trips or classes. Your time and attention is the most valuable thing with a few sticks and stones thrown in for good measure.

As I was witnessing Connie completely worry free without a care in the world, the bible passage that came to mind was the one in Matthew about worry. I quite like the message translation...

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:25‭-‬34

I so want that child like faith that our Father will take care of our every need!