Pursuing the Gift of Simplicity
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the spiritual discipline of simplicity. Seems as if we live in such a complicated world. I wonder sometimes how it is even possible to pull off living simply.
Detrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran theologian who defied the Nazis. He died in a Nazi prison camp at the young age of 39. In his book, Ethics, which was not published until following his death, Bonhoeffer said,
“To be simple is to fix one’s eye solely on the simple truth of God at a time when all concepts are being confused, distorted, and turned upside-down.”
The other day, I watched a delightful Youtube video. The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and vocalist Alison Krauss perform the hymn “Simple Gifts,” written in the 1800’s by Joseph Brackett, an American poet, songwriter, and member of the Shakers.
This beautiful rendition inspired today’s post. All photos were taken by Ron during the amazing Autumn season we are only now beginning to exit. Beneath each photo is a stanza from “Simple Gifts.” I hope you will enjoy!
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
May your days be blessed with “simple gifts,”
Blessings on your Journey,
