For the past five years, a word has chosen me. Except for 2017; that year was chock full up, without one more square inch left for a single word. But besides 2017, the words have picked me. I always tell God that I’ll listen to the word He places on my heart, and weird or out-of-the-blue as some have seemed, I’ve rolled with and focused on them. While not the words I would’ve chosen on my own, it’s impossible to deny His hand in the whispered words and subsequent journeys.
2016 brought a time to reclaim.
In 2015, I heard embrace.
In 2014, I focused on welcome.
2013 found me leaning into soft.
In 2018, I felt the pull to get back to the basics. To work on seemingly simple things that I’ve let fall to the wayside, blaming work or kids or life in general. But really, even the basics are a heart project.
When I was holding my heart open to whatever word the Lord wanted to lay on me, I watched an episode of Jane the Virgin that confirmed it.
Hey, if He used a talking donkey to speak life and truth, He can use a TV show to do the same 😉
Anyways, in this episode, Jane enters a clothing store. A teenaged clerk looks her up and down with disdain, then tells Jane (with the same contempt) that her outfit is “so basic.” Jane’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans (pretty much what I wear daily too). No frills. Nothing fancy. You know. Basic.
While the clerk meant it as a burn, I’m hoping that as I pass through 2018, I look at myself in the mirror and say with sass, “You’re so basic.”
Because that’s the word God gave me for this year. BASIC.
So for the past two months I’ve shifted my energies into making sure the basics are covered. When I say ‘basics’, I mean:
- brushing my teeth every day
- drinking enough water
- eating vegetables
- going to bed at a normal (for most non-night-owl people) hour
- reading the Gospel
- talking (actually speaking) with my friends
- being present with my kids
- planning meals and shopping responsibly for them
- creating and maintaining a budget
- reading books
- loving people and inviting them in (physically and metaphorically)
- writing (not adding a graphic or tweetables or anything fancy. Just. Writing.)
Basics. Which sound suspiciously like actual self-care. Probably because most of these things are.
And you know what? It’s working. I downloaded an app that throws me a party whenever I enter the amount of water I’ve consumed. A few friends and I are in constant communication via Voxer about the food we eat, and the exercise we do (or don’t do. Let’s be honest.) I set an alarm on my phone that reminds me to go to bed. I make it a point to leave my phone plugged in upstairs while I’m home with my kids, giving them my full attention. I keep a grocery list on the side of my fridge next to the meal planning pad, and I actually use both. I say “I love you” a lot.
I’m trekking along and slowly but surely, I’m reminding my heart and body of their basic needs.
I’m finding that God meets us in the basics. He meets our hearts and needs in the most complicated of basics.
When we thirst, it’s water that quenches. When we hunger, it’s bread that fills. When we’re lonely and tired and overwhelmed, it’s love that meets our hearts.
Sometimes the basics can be complicated, and for seasons of our lives we won’t be able to meet certain basic needs (think about newborns and their parents. Sleep? Not so much.) But when I’ve had enough sleep and water and not a whole lot of Facebook-scrolling, BOY do I feel good!
And if ounces of water can do that for our bodies, imagine what a deep drink of living water can do for our souls.
One of my favorite Jesus stories is when He meets a Samaritan women at a well. You can read the full story here (and oh, I hope you will!) but the gist is that He meets her right in the midst of her messy life, and offers her His love. His living water. And after she gets a taste she runs off to tell her whole city, becoming a very unlikely evangelist.
No matter where He meets us — however dry our souls may be — that basic water can revive like nothing else. And when we tell others the story of who we’ve become after drinking deep, of where He met us and the truths He told us about ourselves, eternities can change.
This is how basics are complicated. God makes things complex, changing water to wine and changing water-fetchers to preachers. And when our basic needs are met, we can be ready for Him to get all up in our business to make changes in a living water kind of way.
Which is just another good reason to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and crack open that Gospel. Keep your heart alert. You never know which of your messes Jesus will show up in, ready to change your well water into the kind that brings hearts back to life.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Anna,
I had to chuckle, because my two Millennial children will say to me, “Mom, you’re so ‘BASIC’.” I know they mean it, in a joking way, to say I’m blah, boring, predictable. I take it more as a compliment and that’s why I’d like to say that I think your word is PERFECT! Jesus lived a very “basic” and “simple” existence. He wasn’t extravagant – traveling to far off places and sporting the latest styles. He traveled with no baggage and needed only the basics for His existence (water, food, shelter, sleep). When he stayed at someone’s home, He didn’t ask them to throw a party in His honor, He simply wanted a place to lay His head and sustenance for the next day. Sometimes, I think we do need to leave all the frills behind and just get back to taking care of ourselves and the basics. Applauding your word!! I think Jesus would like it too 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Anna Rendell says
Bev, you just take their comment as a GOOD THING 😉 Thank you for your sweet encouragement.
Michele Morin says
I return all the time to Micah 6:8: do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.
Whenever I feel frustrated at how little I’m doing for the kingdom of God, or how I can’t do enough to help family and friends (never mind the entire hurting world!!), I have to come back to the basics, too. And I’m hearing and appreciating your thoughts on water, vegetables, and sleep. God made a marvelous machine when he designed the human body, but we do need to maintain it, right?
Anna Rendell says
YES. That verse is everything!
Sadie says
Thank you.. thank you again Anna!
This is word ON for me today! I hear God saying to me constantly.. back to basics and stop trying to be it all to all! Only HE can be all to all.. I feel better and it’s Monday!
I always try my best to regroup on Monday’s:) I’m guessing that speaks to many out there.. lol
Well off to my study lesson and then a beautiful morning walk.. with a bottle of water! Blessings to y’all today too!
Anna Rendell says
Mondays are my days to regroup as well. Your walk sounded lovely 🙂
Pearl Allard says
Anna, WOW. This SO resonates with me! Have you been spying on me?? I’ve felt this year that I’ve had to go backwards in some regards to do just what you wrote about – getting back to the basics and focusing on proper health, sleep, etc. What struck me as I read your post (so timely), was a thought I’d had about fashion awhile ago: Never be afraid of a basic outfit. Why? Because it can easily/quickly be dressed up with the right accessories. It’s true spiritually, too. I don’t have to be afraid that God is calling me “backwards” to focus on basics. It might just be the best way to showcase His amazingness – the accessory we all want most anyway! So blessed by your post, Anna! Thank you.
Anna Rendell says
Pearl I am so, so glad these words met your heart today. Thanks for your insight on accessorizing too – love that!
Cynthia says
Sobbing. In. My. Soup.
Thank you Anna. I know you just changed a whole bunch of hearts with this beautiful piece of encouragement. Just exactly what I needed to hear today and exactly how we’re meant to live. And love. Basic…whole, not fractured…breathing in and out while he changes that breath to miracles all around us. Oh my goodness. You just don’t know what you’ve done for me today.
Off to share this Word with everyone I know. Thank you again!!
Anna Rendell says
Oh dear Cynthia… I am incredibly thankful for your words of encouragement.
“Basic…whole, not fractured…breathing in and out while he changes that breath to miracles all around us.” <-- Yes! Beautiful insight. Thanks for being here, Cynthia. Blessings.
Cynthia says
❤️
Anne B. says
Wonderful, wonderful word(s) of life! Let’s get back to basic 101 & let God be God. Anna, you have blessed my heart with sharing what God has given you-you are a mighty woman who has a heart after God’s own heart!
Anna Rendell says
“Let’s get back to basic 101 & let God be God.” Yes! That’s it exactly! So grateful for your presence, Anne.
Shelley says
Love this! Really spoke to me today!
Anna Rendell says
I’m glad, Shelley!
Rebecca Jones says
Basic isn’t a phone you never put down is it?
Anna Rendell says
Nope, it sure isn’t 😉
Elisa says
This is a great word, Anna! Thanks for the reminder.
Anna Rendell says
I am constantly humbled and thankful that the words He gives me to write are the ones I need to hear the most. Thanks for being here, Elisa.
Barbara says
Basic. What an uncomplicated word that our hearts and our world so needs. We’ve gotten so complicated with our social media, smart homes, etc. that we’ve forgotten how “basic” will bring us back to the people and things that really matter, especially our time with our LORD. Thank you so much for these wonderful words. I needed to hear them today. God bless you.
Anna Rendell says
Indeed we have unnecessarily complicated many things. I think that’s where my heart was when I wrote this – feeling the brunt of that pressure and craving release. Thank you for the encouragement, Barbara!
spilledmilkandsunsets says
This really really met me where I’m at today. Thankyou. The things we do often neglect are the very things we need to flourish. All of it. Off to read about the woman at the well and try to see myself as Jesus sees me. Thankyou again,
Anna Rendell says
I am so glad to hear all of the above! What did you find our about our friend at the well?
Krista Lynn Campbell says
Wonderful word. I just heard a sermon around “slow and steady wins the race”. If we keep doing our Basics every day, day after day, year after year, we will achieve our goals.
Anna Rendell says
Ooh yes. That’s a good word, Krista.
Beth Williams says
Anna,
My hubby & I are getting back to the basics this year also. We are “dieting”/eating healthier. He only eats an apple for breakfast, soup is lunch & a nice healthy meal for dinner-sometimes just a salad. I’m also working on eating better & losing weight. You are spot on about getting the basics to make you feel good. We need to get rid of some of the frills & junk the world offers & go back to the basics of life. This post reminded me of a song by 4HIM “Basics of Life”. It is so relevant for today!!
We’ve turned the page, for a new day has dawned We’ve re-arranged what is right and what’s wrong Somehow we’ve drifted so far from the truth That we can’t get back home
Where are the virtues that once gave us light Where are the morals that governed our lives Someday we all will awake and look back just to find what we’ve lost.
We need to get back To the basics of life
A heart that is pure And a love that is blind
A faith that is fervently grounded in Christ The hope that endures for all times
These are the basics, we need to get back To the basics of life
The newest rage is to reason it out Just meditate And you can overcome every doubt
After all man is a God, they say God is no longer alive
But I still believe in the old rugged cross And I still believe there is hope for the lost And I know the rock of all ages will stand Through changes of time
We need to get back To the basics of life
A heart that is pure And a love that is blind
A faith that is fervently grounded in Christ The hope that endures for all times
These are the basics, we need to get back To the basics of life
Blessings 🙂
Anna Rendell says
Love that! Thanks for sharing those meaningful lyrics, Beth.
Fay Vietmeier says
Beth~
Thank you so much for sharing those lyrics…how perfectly applicable ;~)
In His Light
~Fay
Julie says
Yea yes and yrs. Ur post has spoken to me. I am sitting her with a 24hr blood pressure cuff strapped to me to figure out all the stress in my life is causing high blood pressure. Im in my thirties with two young kids and it has been a tough last few years that my husband and i have had to endure many a storm with life challenges and struggles. I have really neglected myself and put everyone first. I feel now the Lord is giving me a big wake up call and making me stop and breathe. This post just confirms this for me
Anna Rendell says
Oh Julie, I will be praying for you. I remember one time being thankful for a scheduled trip to the gynecologist, because it meant I would be able to sit in a quiet waiting room by myself for a while. That was a big gut check – ‘me time’ should not be at the gyno! 🙂 I hope you’ve been able to get relief from the stress, and live into the peace that He offers.
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you for this encouragement!
Anna says
Amen! Praise to God for the life-giving basics! I’m on the same trip even if a bit bumpy… Thank you for this sharing and encouragement! Bless you!
Joey Rudder says
Thank you for this post, Anna. From one t-shirt and jean girl to another, I admire how you studied and worked and prayed about “basics.” I’m feeling a little convicted, honestly. God gave me the word “bold” in January, and I have not been so driven or focused with it. I suppose I’ve sort of been treating it as an afterthought. Not good! I mean, I’ve tried to be more bold in my writing…putting myself out there and not hiding all my embarrassing moments of doubt or anger which I posted a recent example on my blog yesterday: https://trainingforeternityblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/when-a-dream-is-detoured/
But I think I need to be more bold in other areas of my life instead of tiptoeing to the task in fear (something I’ve been known to do when God calls me.) Thank you for inspiring me to obey God’s calling when He gives me a beautiful word. God bless you!
Anna Rendell says
But what an excellent word! I hope you feel Him on the journey as you live into it this year.
Joey Rudder says
Thank you!! 🙂
Nancy Ruegg says
Brushing your teeth every day is pretty basic alright!! Seriously, I do appreciate your list, because you’ve covered all the bases–physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional–which brings our lives into balance. And a balanced person is a much more effective person. Not that we do more, but what we do accomplish achieves more impact. Well done, Anna!
Fay Vietmeier says
Anna~ I love the Bible: God-breathed Living Words
I love words … I love reading them. I love writing them. I love when they are artfully used:
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” ~ Proverbs 25:11
Wisely chosen “basics”
At a women’s conference many years ago one of the speakers, a missionary said: “the devil may not make you bad but he will keep you busy” … that truth stayed in my mind.
The world is so very, very busy. I find it a daily challenge to focus on what is important and accomplish “basic” tasks
Too many days pass by and I rob myself of time in the Word. This one thing sets the course of my day. It should be a “basic” priority
It would be a rare day to not eat food so why would I skip the “Bread of Life” or “starve at the Buffet Table of Life” ~to quote Dr Benzio from the Lighthouse Network
Since I’m semi-retired: I work from home … usually live in my pajamas…and only remember to brush my teeth before I go to swim at 8-8:30 pm
The more chronologically advantaged I become it seems like time is “flying” … I wake up … blink and then it’s time for bed ;~)
Since words are part of your message, I hope you do not mind if I share this poem I wrote several years ago
(my Mom who also writes poetry wrote a poem “Words” which I did not know about until she passed away a couple years ago)
“Every word of God is flawless” ~ Proverbs 30:5
“WORDS”
Words can wound or words can heal
Words of strife our peace can steal
Words can make or break a deal……tear us down …or give us zeal
Words of love …can hate erase …like soothing balm …strife replace
Words can divide…or words can ignite
A nation…a family …to fight or unite
Harsh words turn a heart to stone…“Kind words” it is said “heal bones”
Words can be foolish or words can be wise
Words can be truth or words can be lies
Let us first our words rehearse…for
Words can bless …or words can curse
For human speaking is an art …and
Words do reveal what is in the heart
~ by Fay Marmalich-Vietmeier ~