What has Marie Kondo done?
This young, petite, Japanese woman has come to visit. She didn’t stop at the WELCOME mat; she opened our underwear drawer and began folding.
From a country big on neatness and small on space, Marie is teaching Americans, and beyond, how to “tidy up” by paring down. She encourages us to hold each possession and keep only what brings us joy.
As one friend told me, “That doesn’t work for me. ALL my stuff brings me joy!” Another said, “That leaves me with only my coffee pot and my dog!”
But to me – and apparently millions of others around the world - - Marie is inspiring a life-change. Last year I purchased her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, read it, talked to some girlfriends about it, and then put it on my bookshelf. Not until she appeared on Netflix and showed me how to do it, did I start folding my socks in thirds and standing them, happily, side-by-side.
Sometimes taking that first step can make believers out of us.
And that’s what I think about going away to pray. How in the world did Jesus walk this hurting, confused and demanding world and keep His priorities straight? He showed us how.
“After this miracle the news about Jesus spread even farther.
Massive crowds continually gathered to hear him speak
and to be healed from their illnesses.
But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.”
- LUKE 5:15-16 (The Passion)
Jesus slipped away.
When? Often.
Under what circumstances? In the midst of teaching and healing – doing exactly what He came to do.
Marie teaches us how to “tidy up,” by sorting, folding and organizing.
Jesus teaches us how to live with purpose and peace – without burning out – by slipping away.
Would you like to make a change – to find peace in the midst of your nosy and demanding days? Consider coming away to a retreat, “Dare to Be Still: a weekend experience with God.”
Perhaps you’ve already learned the practical tips and embraced the love of God in stillness at a DARE retreat. Would you be willing to share your experience with a girlfriend, a sister, a neighbor?
We all need a little help and encouragement to pursue what really matters in life.
“We don’t drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there.”
- ANDY STANLEY
The Principle of the Path: How to Get from
Where You are to Where You Want to Be
Pull Up a Chair: Sitting Still
In ten years will you remember how you spent February 23-24, 2019?
A Dare for you: Do you have the courage to believe life can go on without you for two days? Do you have the faith to believe that if you seek God, He will show up for you? If you're hearing a whisper to "come," please sign up soon because the registration deadline is right around the corner.
I urge you to take that first step. Go beyond the WELCOME mat – step right into the presence of God.