Life is not simple right now.
The house is in a bit of chaos with all the construction.
And it’s interesting to watch our response to chaos. The Husband and I and the farm.
Three of the four pups are nervous wrecks. The fourth pup, Ollie the Beagle, is just a little antsy with being confined to the bedroom. Reba the cat spends the day hiding and the nights complaining loudly. The Husband is at work most of the time but calls in excitedly for updates .
I’m either cleaning out a cabinet or purging a closet.
Or hiding in my room.
Because chaos reigns in my house.
And chaos makes me want to retreat.
But in the chaos I hear God whispering lessons about my one-word for the year.
That sweet wonderful word…
Simplicity.
I think He’s saying:
Chaos often proceeds simplicity
Think about it, have you ever cleaned a room down to the beautiful and necessary without first experiencing a bit of chaos?
Have you ever pared down your schedule getting rid of umpteen commitments without first experiencing the chaos of over-scheduling yourself?
I don’t know if it’s always the case, but often times, chaos proceeds simplicity.
I’m still counting gifts my friends… #____ – God lessons on simplicity~
(I don’t know what number I’m on…I seem to have misplaced my gratitude journal in all the … chaos)
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you are so right – chaos often proceeds simplicity. Perhaps that way, we appreciate the simplicity all the more! Hang in there; it will get there; and it will be worth it.
Jane Carter´s last [type] ..Getting It Done – One Shelf at a Time!
I think you’re so right! I’ve never thought of it this way, but it helps me see chaos as….maybe necessary to lead us to simplicity. I love this!
Julie Garmon´s last [type] ..My Middle of the Night Prayer
I agree 100%.
I told you before that we did something similiar and yes, it was chaos! We also gutted our kitchen and had hardwoods put down throughout our entire downstairs so literally our entire house was torn up. But, during this same time my mother-in-law was home with hospice so in a way the house being in chaos was nothing compared to the stress of her sickness. And we could see the “big picture.” We thought after my mother-in-law passed, our home would become the gathering spot for the family. But twas not to be, my sister-in-law bought the family home so our home is just a gathering spot sometimes! 
I think in regards to chaos procceeding simplicity, just think of how God has to work on our hearts and minds (really hard stuff sometimes) before He gets us to a place (most of the time simpler) where He wants us. We have to purge our lives of the unimportant. Great thoughts today!! 
What great insight. This simple phrase touches my heart and urges me to charge right into the chaos. Instead of being overwhelmed I feel inspired to get to a peaceful and improved place. Thank you
Absolutely! I think I’ve learned whatever word you choose, to expect the opposite of the word to appear, so that you can move through it to the other side and really know the experience of your word. Ha- thats my long winded version of “chaos before simplicity.” But I love how God put those words on the tip of your tongue!
Vicky´s last [type] ..Matt Cullen’s 1000th game celebration
Oh yES!!! Chaos ALWAYS preceeds simplicity. I am find that out one closet, drawer, room at a time. I ahve been going through every closet, drawer nook and cranny in this house in anticipation of the “kids” moving in this weekend but I am LOOOOOVING the rsults!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like I can breathe again! Took a CARLOAD to GW yesterday and our trash can is overflowing. Tonight is trash night, thank goodness:):) Love to you, Pinky
Pinky´s last [type] ..New/Old Kitchen Table
I keep telling myself the end result will be worth it. As I travel and find construction site after construction site-as they go from 2 to 3 or 4 lanes of traffic on one side, I keep telling myself it will be worth it. Oh yeah, it will be worth the chaos when you come out on the other side. Hope you are holding up robin.
bill (cycleguy)´s last [type] ..ChurchFuture