It's Simply Tuesday

Sometimes God brings a book into my life at just the right time, when my soul needs to read and be reminded of a truth from His Word that I never knew I needed. Simply Tuesday came at just the right time - on a Tuesday. 

I've been following the author of Simply Tuesday, Emily P. Freeman, for a few years. I read and enjoy her blog regularly, as her tagline is "creating space for your soul to breathe." My soul often needs space to breathe, especially in a world and culture that values producing, creating, and living fast-paced. I started reading this book while reading through the book of Matthew in the Bible. The two in tandem were like sweet honey to my soul - rich and satisfying. 

The book is about small moment living, but it's also focused on God's Kingdom and how it is different from what the world would expect. Drawing from the Scriptures, Emily shows how God's Kingdom is found in the ordinary and everyday, in the small moments (and the big moments), but particularly in the small moments. 

God's Kingdom is found in a mother making a pb&j sandwich for her child. 

It's found in taking time to sit on a bench and converse with your neighbor. 

It's found in obedience to God's Word, no matter the consequences. 

It shows up even on the most ordinary days of the week. 

It's far different from the kingdom of the world, which values success, extraordinary moments, and fame. 

I learned a lot about God's Kingdom while reading this book, and I learned a lot about myself. 

You see, in my brokenness, sinfulness, and humanity, I tend to build my own crumbling kingdom. I live life, longing for the big moments and struggling with discontentment on the everyday Tuesdays when building God's Kingdom looks like making lunch for my husband. I compare myself to others. I feel discouraged when I don't feel like I'm doing enough or when I think about the smallness of this blog or my Instagram. In the midst of this discouragement, God meets me and reminds me that it's not about my kingdom. It's all about His Kingdom and He's given me a part to play - a specific assignment. I have a small part, but it's an important part. 

After reading Simply Tuesday, I'm learning how to repent when I get caught up in building my own kingdom and instead I want to look for God's Kingdom in the ordinary and everyday. I want to learn how to celebrate my smallness and be faithful and obedient to the specific assignment he has given me, which is to love others and invite them into God's Kingdom. I can't do that when I'm too busy building my own. 

I would recommend Simply Tuesday for the fact that it encouraged me when I was feeling weary. This book is for anyone that is tired of fast-paced living, and longs to see the beauty and Kingdom-building ministry of small moment living. 

Learn more about Simply Tuesday. 
Visit Emily P. Freeman's Blog. 

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