Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
’Tis the gift to come down where we 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 our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come ’round right.
— 1848, Elder Joseph Brackett of Alfred Shaker Village
Oh, sure, we are all being forced to employ technology in new and expanded ways, these days. Yet, our technology as always, is simply a tool used to complete our work and achieve our goals.
And our goals have become more simple lately, haven’t they? Things we have taken for granted have become rare, or even scarce. Work and workers we once saw a mundane have now become essential. With challenges to the supply line, some of the more esoteric and fancy items we purchase, such as vegetables and cuts of meat are hard to come by, so we rely on those more familiar, ordinary, simple-to-cook. The only fashion statements we make are the designs of our face masks.
We long for the ability to touch and embrace again. To meet face-to-face. To feel the presence and hear the voice of the person next to us in church as we sing and pray together.
We find strength and hope in moving on with our lives in the simple, quotidian tasks of life. Many of us are taking the opportunity to catch up on work we have long-ignored. Keeping the house clean isn’t just a matter of protecting ourselves from the virus, but of engaging with, and giving thanks for, that which remains in our lives.
We engage even more with the people closest to us. Our children are receiving more than the usual attention, are they not? And we connect with friends as never before (though we have turned to physically distanced means). We have been turning to God more in our prayer life as well, yes?
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
— Colossians 3:23 NLT
Thank you, O God, for being there when we turn back to you. Help us, in this time of crisis, to re-turn to the simple gifts of life. Help us to know and show the basic truth of your love and grace. Come, Holy Spirit. Amen
(I commend to your reading “The Quotidian Mysteries” by Kathleen Norris)
Pastor George