Chapter One
Introduction
Isaiah 58:11
“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
When thinking about writing this book, I kept wondering about the direction it would take. And as I pondered it, I kept coming up with the phrase ‘Surface Work’.
I’m not sure whether it’s a common phrase or not, but it seemed to fit. What do I mean by ‘Surface Work’?
Surface work is what you do to get started. It’s making a plan, gathering the tools, and taking the first step. In gardening terms, the surface work is what you do when you remove the grass to start a new bed. When building a home, the surface work is preparing the ground for the foundation.
When I wrapped my mind around this phrase, I smiled, and just knew it would be the easiest book I could write. After all, I believe in Jesus, and make time for daily devotionals. I live a simple life, sing hymns while washing dishes, smile at strangers, and put money in every red bucket I see at Christmas. There is a Prayer Bench in my pasture, and I know how to use it!
And then it came time to actually write it. I confess, at first it seemed easy. I breezed through pages like nobody’s business. But then it came time to read what I wrote and do the editing. That is when it hit me. I was still doing ‘surface work’, and I had a long way (and many, many re-writes) to go.
When I start a new garden, I always do the surface work. By getting rid of the grass and weeds on top, it helps me to dig down to remove roots, rocks, and other debris. This process helps to loosen the soil for planting, in order for my plants to not only grow strong roots, but to allow those roots access to the nutrients and water they need to grow strong and produce fruit.
Faith is the same way. To truly sink your roots into Christ, not only is surface work required, but you also have to dig deep. Hidden below the surface are the rocks of good intentions, impatience, and unkindness, and rocks of greed, hatred, and arrogance. For a successful garden, you need to remove these stones to allow room for the good roots of faith to grow deep.
Before I took the next step in writing this book, I knew surface work wasn’t going to cut it. I had to get a shovel and pickaxe, and do the heavy, hard work. My heart now has blisters from all the work, and I know there is still more to do. But in the end, all this hard work will “strengthen my frame so I may be a well-watered garden”. With dedication, my goal is to produce a harvest that will be well worth the effort.
Whether your journey is to strengthen your faith, learn to live a simple life, or to blend the two, you need to start at the very beginning. Section 1 – Surface Work will show you how to take that first step by setting up your Inner Room. From there, you will take another step in Section 2 – Designing your Home. Both of these will help you to build a strong foundation in order to incorporate your faith with living a simple life.
From there, each section will help you find ways to blend living a simple life with a strong faith within your home, family, community, and more. I frequently say that living a simple life isn’t always easy. But when it’s woven together with faith in God, you’ll find your life becomes a home that always says ‘Welcome!’
Do you have your shovel ready? Let’s start digging. And if you need help, God is standing right there beside you to help you dig deeper.
Pray Without Ceasing:
Dear Father,
I want to strengthen not only my body, but also my heart, my mind and soul so that I may become a well-watered garden. Let my work be pleasing to You. Help me to do the surface work, so that I may produce a harvest for You.
In Jesus’ name, In Jesus’ name,
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