“Less calories,” I promised as I served our neighbors slices of beautiful, crustless quiche the last morning of 2017.
“Good. That’s what I am about this year. I want to walk more, drink more water and spend less money,” she laughed.
More. . . and. . . less . . .
We all use the phrase more or less to mean approximately or about. How much sugar in this recipe? Oh, about a cup, more or less. How many miles did you run this morning? Maybe three, more or less. I am not using this phrase here, but the actual meanings of more which means another or a greater amount and less which is defined as not so much or in a smaller degree.
I usually do not make New Year’s Resolutions. All year I can change some action, a habit or two, a learned behavior. But I toyed with JoAnn’s words of more and less, especially as I had already been thinking I was going to clean less.
So when talking via WhatsApp with our granddaughter on Christmas Day, studying in London, I mentioned that I wasn’t going to clean as much this year. “No way, You’re the reason I clean my baseboards as often as I do.”
“Oh, no, Ahnna. Maybe you can do that just once a month,” I squealed.
“Not gonna happen, Barbara Jane. (that’s what she calls me :-)) You’ve ruined me.” She smiled, and I could hear her giggle all those miles across the waters that separated us this holiday.
But my heart had to think about those words. A long time. Surely she and my other grandchildren know I am more than a cleaning lady. (And there is nothing wrong with a cleaning lady!) Surely they have seen more profound truths displayed daily, and they know the heart of their gram.
The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10) began to haunt me. One listening and loving the Master. One cleaning and cooking.
More importantly, this year I want to cry less and trust more. My regular blog readers know that I have not written in three months. Life has happened to cause many tears and much heart break in our precious family circle, and I have succumbed to fear and failed to trust. I desire to be transparent and vulnerable when I blog, and I just could not share our heartache. So I didn’t write.
What about you? Is there an area where you want to do more, accomplish more, add another? And a part of life where you need less of an activity or a habit? My list is growing. . .
I need to begin with less of . . .
“being anxious about anything,”
and more of this. . . “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4: 6-8
Maybe if I clean less, I will have time to sit, to listen
. . . more.
a journey to now 
Good thoughts for the new year!
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Amen Amen and Amen!! And I especially like the simple 3 little words I can remember and remind myself throughout the day when the anxiety/worry/fear creeps in, I can quickly replace and “lessen” it with “more” Truth! “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Sounds like a pretty good prescription for peace and happiness! More Jesus. Less me. God bless your heart Barb. I’m looking forward to more blog, less worry! ❤️✝️
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Yes, yes. Thank you for your reply.
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I love, Love, love, , your blog. You remind me life is for God’s work. Would you like to go with me visiting? I am looking for a partner to go knock doors and tell people God loves them and invite them to our new church home? Maybe we can worry less if we are about our fathers business.
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I made a New Years resolution to make time for important things like helping my friends and talking to my parents every day. Sometimes I get mad because time slips by and I missed an opportunity to be there for someone. So I decided I was changing ! I want MORE of the important things! Well I think God is doing a reset on my life ! I have not been able to work since the 22nd of Dec. I have a slipped disc and a pinched nerve and a lot of pain! My friends and family have been here for me! All my clients that I canceled on are more worried about me than their nails! I have a friend that has come and cleaned my house and washed all my laundry! More than one friend brought dinner! My mom and family are cooking, running errands, paying my bills and driving me to therapy! I get numerous texts every day asking if I need anything and how I’m doing! I think God is showing me how important it is for me to change. I will do More of the important things from now on!
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It is hard to share hurts! I need listing more to God and Stop doing busy work. Been running from the hurt to not think so much. I just fall in Christ arms at night or if something reminds me of Ron I cry and try not to dwell on how much I miss him. I thank God daily for how he has protected me and blessed me greatly. I thank Christ for dieing so I cans live and the Holy Spirit for guiding me daily. We grow when we walk through the fire. That way we can help others.
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I also want to spend more time with Jesus. The family problems we deal with and that concerns us, we can’t do anything about them anyway. Only Jesus can change a heart. Some prayers for our family members have been answered and we rejoice and others have not been answered yet, but we want give up praying. We must keep FACING JESUS, giving Him honor and praise and allow Him to do His will in our lives. Love you Tom and Barb and so glad you are back HOME with us.
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