“Besides the noble art of getting things
done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life
consists in the elimination of nonessentials.” — Lin Yutang
"I just KNEW that if I
got rid of all those spare socks, their mates would come looking for them
some day." It didn’t take long for my friends to respond to my Facebook post.
Some shared words of encouragement: “Mismatched socks are trendy! J.C. Penney
is selling them that way!” Others, empathized and advised: “I never get rid of
them for just that reason.” Still another shared insight: “The dryer hides
them.”
I tried the fashion advice in secret, hiding them with boots. Still, I had to try to pair the height and feel of the mismatched socks in order to experience a degree of comfort with my choice. And, of course, there was to be no crying over lost socks, no turning back the clock to the day I made the fateful decision to finally clean off the top of the dryer and drop them into the nearest trash. I just had to let them go. From here on, however, I vow to look more carefully in the dryer as well as in the sleeves and pant legs of the shirts and trousers they tumbled with.
Frankly, I like to have everything where it belongs. I can live with dust, but I hate clutter.
I like to look around and see that
everything is ‘just so.’ But, over the course of several small steps and
several years, I had to choose to devote my attention to things of greater
value. Like real peace in my home. Like completing coursework for my degree. Like
presenting a successful lesson in the classroom. Like taking time to go to my
grandson’s hockey game, or accompanying my husband on a photo shoot just to
spend some time with him, or writing an email to a dear friend.
 |
| Laundry day on an Amish Farm in Lancaster County, PA |
Maybe I'll never be completely content with the demise of the
sock mates, but I will be eternally joyful about what I did spend time on. And
some day, when I pass that way again, I’m going to stop and ask my Amish
friends if they ever lose sock mates, since they have no clothes dryers.
Meanwhile, I’ll take some time to enjoy looking at their colorful laundry.
Meanwhile, I’ll take some time to enjoy looking at their colorful laundry.
2 Corinthians 4:18
“We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever” God’s Word.
“We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever” God’s Word.
Philippians 4:8
“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” ESV.
“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” ESV.
Luke 6:31
“Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for
them” The Voice.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his
friend, as in fact you do” Weymouth.
Excerpt from:
While
it is Called Today - a 30-day photo devotional for living well
by Dee Marvin
Emeigh
(c) 2014 Dee
Marvin Emeigh
all rights
reserved
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