I remember watching the Bio channel one day and it was featuring the life of country singer “Dolly Parton.” I’ll never forget one of her comments when she said, “Less is not more, more is more!” I laughed out loud at her unbridled honesty and the fact that she probably echoed the heart of countless individuals. We live in an age where we can down load the latest on home decorating, hair styles and fashion trends with a click of our mouse. Some how, when we think we’ve got it all together we realize we need just one more…(you fill in the blank).
There is a woman who came into my life many years ago, and she has taught me some wonderful life lessons. She is my aunt Jessie. In 1993 our family went to the little town of Searcy, Arkansas to visit my parents. During that visit I’ll always remember aunt Jessie coming through the front door and lighting up the room. She is a simple southern lady who has been a God-fearing woman ever since I’ve known her. She had energy and spunk and I sat next to her at the table hanging on her every word. She was a wife, mother and school teacher for many years. After her husband passed away, she devoted her time and passion to her church and missions trips. She loved to talk about her adventures serving God around the world. But it was when I went to her home that I got a closer look into her life. It was a small little house where she lived by herself. Her furnishings were simple and few. Her appliances were outdated. Her sewing machine and scraps of fabric told the story of the hours she spent sewing clothes for children in orphanages. I remember the yummy lunch she made for us and for dessert we had biscuits and molasses. I felt so at home.
Through the years when I think about my dear aunt Jessie I smile. Such much with so little (at least by the world’s standards). But a life lived for God and others can truly teach us all the beauty of “less is more”.
“For not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21
Well, this certainly was timely as I’m feeling the heaviness side of change / re-adjustment & packing for yet another move, wondering what to donate / throw away next in order to fit the three of us into an even smaller apartment! Every time we move, I can’t get over the STUFF we’ve accumulated & am always remembering the verse about the disciples going out w/almost nothing (Matt. 10:10) & the verse about storing up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20). God always encourages me in my circumstances, and this morning it was through you!
🙂
I cannot tell you How much I desire to be at that same place as your Aunt Jessie. I really do long for the day when I (and my husband) can just Go when the LORD calls us to Go. Not that he will call us to travel the world in ministry but just to be able to do whatever He wants us to do.
You are so correct in saying that Less is more. I have been compelled to sell some of our “things”. In order to become debt free I think that is what is required 0f us, (speaking about my husband and me).
God is merciful and He knows my heart…He knows our desires and He knows how and when we can accomplish our freedom in Christ. I am looking forward for that day.
Thank you for sharing Aunt Jessie with us. The reminder of “simplicity” was necessary in my life this day.
God Bless you!