A life lived simply is a beautiful life!
When we live a rushed, overscheduled, complicated life, we quickly become winded. Our lungs struggle to get a deep breath. We strain through the shallow pants.
But a simple life…the small life… allows us to breath deeply.
To exhale.
“Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7)
God inspired Adam to live.
When we exhale, we die to ourselves. Then, we have the capacity to truly inhale and be inspired. In other words, in order to be inspired, you have to expire.
Photo Credit: cavalier-photography.com
Exhale. Inhale.
Expire. Inspire.
Like Adam the LORD has been inspiring me to live. He has been teaching me about living the small life and how that brings Him glory. Living each day…breathing in and out. Slowing down to take it all in.
I can hardly stand the beauty!
He has allowed me to be inspired by small glimpses of the whole…The awe-inspiring orchestra of life that, if we are too busy, we fail to perceive. Birds flying overhead at just the perfect time. The gush of a gentle breeze to blow my daughter’s hair just so. My heart nearly bursts!
I sit in a quiet corner of my favorite coffee shop with my earbuds plugged in to some worship music and I breathe deeply.
I witness the dance of people of all ages interacting in perfect time unbeknownst to the participants…
A father listening to the laughter of his four daughters. An elderly couple quietly reading their papers and sipping coffee. The young momma with her two toddlers who have the cutest milk mustaches you have ever seen. And the lonely man sitting beside me looking for someone to listen.
Everyone seems to move in perfect time to the soundtrack of the worship music that I am listening to. And then it occurs to me…the simple act of breaking bread together is worship before the King. It is His design. His children. And whether they acknowledge it or not they are living out of His abundant provision of health, food, happiness, fellowship.
He is present each morning to soak this in, and on this particular day He invited me to breathe it in and be inspired by His love. I can hardly stand the beauty!
The small life has great significance. Don’t miss it the invitation to be inspired!
Photo Credit: cavalier-photography.com
Linking up with Holly Barrett, Kelly Balarie, Meredith Bernard, Jennifer Dukes Lee, The Weekend Brew, Three Word Wednesday. and Holley Gerth.
Your words are inspiring. You are right we need to slow down and take in what God is doing, when I leave my house I am intentional about helping others with kindness and love that the Father pours out on me. I can not rush or I will miss out on a blessing. Great Job. Thank you.
Thank you, Patricia!
What a wonderful idea, Jen, to open our eyes to the “small life,” the things all around us. Small but beautiful. Thanks for inspiring us today.
Betsy,
Thank you for always encouraging me!
May we never look down upon doing the small things. Often they are the bigger things God is doing around us. Glad to have stopped here from Three Word Wednesday. Blessings!
Joanne,
I have been very blessed by Zechariah 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”
The glory of the “small life.” I love the fresh perspective. Thank you. Inhale and exhale. Simple and profound.
I’m glad to be your raralinkup neighbor.
Blessings!
Your post is a wonderful reminder to breathe and enjoy what’s around us now…because it might not always be there. Happy to be visiting from Coffee for Your Heart. 🙂
Laura, Yes. I take nothing for granted!
This is wonderful Jen! “To inspire we have to expire!” This truth has been a topic of learning and growth in our home lately – for me overflowing to the kids!
Jamie, so blessed to encourage! Thank you for dropping by!
I love this post. It resonates with where I am in daily life so much. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Ahhh…Thank you, Kristin for dropping by!
“When we exhale, we die to ourselves. Then, we have the capacity to truly inhale and be inspired.” Love this! What an important reminder. Thank you for the inspiration today.
Linking up with Holly for #TestimonyTuesday also.
Blessings,
I’ve learned through my 67 years that. . .”Life is short, eat dessert first!” But, while we are enjoying every minute of our short time on this earth, we must help each other to see the beauty that is given to each of us. Don’t pass up the opportunity to give someone flowers to make them smile. Another wonderful thing to do would be to bring homemade soup or a loaf of warm bread to a friend in need or even a card mailed to their home is special & from the heart 🙂
Jen, you inspire my heart and call me to a moment with the Lord. I need to inhale and exhale and slow down. Seriously, loved this and your call to peace. Cheering you from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.