simply homemaker

This week is a shorter blog, because I’m writing on the shore of Newport Beach, on a trip to visit my brother in Tustin, California!

My brother and I had the perfect beach day in Newport Beach, having donuts, eating chowder, being in the ice-cold water. We experienced amazing hospitality, which made our trip a delight and stress-free, and for that I’m so thankful!

This week, I’m beginning the sequel to Pilgrim’s Progress, finally getting to so many administrative tasks I haven’t started since getting to Texas, and finally starting to really ramp up on my projects.

I also signed up to bring a meal to a friend, made my dad’s Father’s Day Gift, and booked tickets to visit friends in Virginia in July.

This morning, I took an Uber to the airport and had such a lovely conversation with the driver! I’m learning to talk to strangers again! I’m almost at tears at the fact that little habits can be relearned!

This season I’m also learning faith comes in many little things as well as the big. 

Sometimes, the little things matter more. The things that don’t make it to the public eye.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Luke 16:10

This summer, I want God to teach me to deny myself pleasures, and be quiet like a weaned child before its mother.

The past year has given me a lot of time to dream and plan. Amidst living life and carrying out responsibilities, I also was planning trips, fun excursions, and unforgettable experiences.

But here and there, I let things fall into the cracks.

I many times showed up late to things because I put way too many things into my schedule.

I completely forgot to get a dental check up.

I forgot my daily walks more times than I wanted to admit.

I sometimes even forgot the daily joy of bringing out the cooking utensils and feeding myself as well as others.

Somewhere in there, I would go days without sitting in front of my Bible or working hard to obtain something actually meaningful.

This last portion is the part where you don’t feel like your bum is on the seat anymore (my way of saying I’m feeling imbalanced and not grounded).

This summer, I’m making so many changes. I limited my options. I’m meeting up with my best friend every week so we can share about our walks with the Lord and keep each other accountable.

I also deleted my Instagram, which is something I have wanted to do for years! I’ve started, and stopped, and started, and stopped, I can’t believe this is actually happening.

I want to live a more genuine, authentic, and faithful life. A non-picture-perfect life. 

A life when not everyone needs to be updated. A life when God’s faithfulness is seen more clearly in moments unseen than seen. 

To practice being lowly is to practice being seen only by the Lord. And for me personally, I need that practice in this season more than others.

I want this season to be one of beauty and grace, but also of walking closely with the Lord with integrity in my words and actions.

Jesus, may you teach me to be faithful in the little. 

May this be imprinted on my heart. His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:21

I’m so excited for the things to come. More trips to see the United States. More coffee and dinner dates with friends, because summer, yay! More books to be read, projects to be done, people to meet and love.

More opportunities to learn of the Lord and love Him.

Yes, I have not found my retainer for like, a week? I need a deep clean of my car. And everyday I feel a case of “am I doing enough?” at work.

I’m still figuring out what I want to with my life, the person I want to become, and the things I want to add and subtract.

I’m also traveling the country, reading actual paper books again, connecting with my family and friends, and embarking on many new journeys (who could have thought there would be so many?).

“Not that I speak in respect to want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

So, thank the Lord He has grace for the lowly.