Simplicity in a Simple Form

In my Spiritual Formation in the Church (not of the Church)

class, we were talking about simplicity. I forgot why or how, but we were. Anyway, my Professor mentioned that there was this guy who decided to live with only 100 items and challenges people to do the same. At the time I thought that was really cool, but it was too much of a sacrifice for me to do the same. 

Anyway, I pushed the thought out of my mind and forgot completely about it - until today that is. I'm currently reading a book by Shane Claiborne (Jesus for President...it has nothing to do with what I'm thinking but a good book nonetheless) and it suddenly struck me who he is again. He founded the Simple Way. So he could live in simplicity. 

So, I'm the bathroom re-learning about Exodus and God hearing the people's cry, and the thought of simplicity comes screaming into my head. And then the thought of the 100 items or less challenge conversation comes flooding back to me. 

And then I realize that I've been learning to trust God with my life and with money, so why not trust him with my possessions? 

So, next year, on campus, I'll only be living with 100 items. Now, I'm going to sorta cheat a little bit. Things that I cannot live without (i.e. hygiene items, food items, cleaning supplies, etc.) won't count. Second, my books won't count either because those are also a need. Third, if it is a collection (i.e. movies), or if I can fit it into one container, I  will count that as one thing. Other then that, it's limiting myself. 

Can I do it? Only time will tell. but I'm counting on God to provide me with my needs. And when I desire that shiny new toy, I'll be counting on God to satisfy my desires with the things I have. As Henry David Thoreau says "as you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness, weakness."

And All I Could Say Was, "Hello"

Lately I've been on a movie kick. I found out that I could watch movies online for free with Netflix, and I recently found momomesh. It's a website that I could watch movies for free anytime, any day. So naturally, I've been watching a bunch of movies that I've never seen before in my life. Some good, some not so great. Some scary, some sad, but most of them have been romances. 

I'm a girl. And with being a girl comes the desire to find a man whom I can spend my entire life with. Actually, last semester it was quite the obsession. However, besides watching movies consistently, I've been reading a ton as well. Some scary, some sad, but most of them have been romances (not the smutty kind).  For example, I read a book called Central Park. It's like Mansfield Park (by Jane Austen) but it has a more modern setting. I've also been reading books about dating and seeing how God fits the prospective boyfriend into my life.

My point is that last semester one of the major things I was dealing with was lonliness. I was in a dorm with 100 girls, and every night I would get this deep longing in my soul for someone to share my life with... in an intimate, romantic way. (I want to take this time to kick Satan in the butt for knowing exactly how to push my buttons.) 

But as I've been reading these books and watching these movies about falling in love, I've realized some things:

1) Being single is never a bad thing. It may feel like a bad thing, but instead of dwelling on the future, I should be allowing God to shape me into the "Proverbs 31 Woman" that I've always felt a call to become. 

2) Being single can be fun. I just have to let it. Also, I don't have to worry about missing that special someone during breaks. 

3) God is in control. He knows that what I want, and he's not going to let me settle for anything less. I just haven't met my special guy yet.

4) I have some growing up to do still. Plain and simple. But that's ok...I'm getting there.

5) I've realized this summer that I'm beautiful. I am, after all, created in His image. So thus, I am freakin' drop-dead hawt! (And all my fellow sisters out there better feel the same way about themselves).

6) And then, of course, my roommate last year told me day after day that God wants to be the one to hold me at night. If I can't learn to let Him hold me now when I need it the most, then how am I going to let him when I'm in a relationship?

7) Mostly though, I deserve a guy who loves others. Who is funny, sweet, caring, and holds the door open for me. I deserve someone who puts God before me, and understands when I put God before him. I deserve someone who makes me madder then anything and someone who makes me happier than a little kid is Christmas morning. I deserve someone who respects his mother (and the rest of his family). Someone who ask God day after day to break their heart for what breaks God's (as I do every morning). Someone who will spend time with me, but spend time with their friends as well. Someone who drops everything for me when I need help. Someone I can admire. Someone who understands me, and someone who I understand. Someone who gives up spending time with me to spend time with those who are hurting, and most important someone who gives up time with me to get time with God. Someone who...well...you get the picture.

Anyway, that really wasn't what I was going to write about...I got sidetracked. But my point is that God has given me peace about finding "Mr. Right." He's out there....I know he is. I don't feel that call to be single, I really don't. And he's out there. I've learned to be patient, and wait for him. I've also learned to pray for him. Sometimes my prayer is long. Sometimes it is short. But there is nothing like praying for your future spouse and asking God to protect them from Satan. It makes me tear up thinking about how I already closer to my future spouse because of it. 

So, you might ask me what was the inspiration for this blog? Well, I decided to watch Sleepless in Seattle for the first time. Mainly because I went to Seattle for the first week of summer and Sean, Jenni's friend, showed me the houseboat. But the movie starts in Seattle (well, it actually begins in Chicago... but whatever) and ends in New York City. I've been to Seattle and New York less than two months in between each other. Also, the movie is centered around the classic movie, An Affair To Remember. And I got that movie for my birthday. It was destiny for me to watch that movie... And with everything that I've been watching/reading about romance, it just feel together into this little blog.

God,

I want to thank you. I want to thank you for my passions and dreams. But mostly, my passion to have a husband. I know that he is out there somewhere, and God, I want to let you know that I'll be patiently waiting. But more than waiting, I will be praying. I will be praying that he stays safe, wherever he is, and whatever he's doing. I pray that you give him a strong spirit, and with that strong spirit, an ability to fight Satan. I pray that he allows you to further Your Kingdom through him. Father, I want to thank you for giving him passions and desires that only you can fulfill. But most of all, I pray that I become an amazing woman of You. And that this guy becomes an amazing man of You. So that we can be amazing to each other. 

Love, 

Megan

Because someone I've never met, someone I've never seen, someone I've never known, is the only someone for me. And you never know, he may be sleepless in Seattle. Sleepless at Simpson. Sleepless in New York, or heck, a different country. Or he may be sleeping...gosh, I hope he's not a morning person.  : )