When Cheryl Smith, one of my friends and colleagues at TheHighCalling.org, launched her “Simplify” project, I knew it was a good fit. “Simplicity.” That’s me.My wardrobe is simple, my meals are simple, my decor (what little there is) is simple, my schedule is—usually—simple. Hairstyle, jewelry, nails, shoes: simple, simple, simple. Even my writing style is simple. If you take a moment to glance at my blog and logo design: simple.I figured it would be, well, simple to compose and publish a post in keeping with Cheryl’s theme. I planned to link to “Simplify” each Saturday.But, no. My life is just a little bit too full. I can never seem to get a post prepared in time. Ah, the irony: that I need to simplify in order to participate in a blog carnival entitled “Simplify.”The main reason my life is extra-full can also serve as situational irony: I’m preparing four messages adapted from my book, Not So Fast, to present at a women’s retreat. We’ll be focusing on slowing down to seek a richer relationship with God.I know, I know.The last message before we leave retreat mode and head back into the frantic, hectic, fast-paced world is going to be “A Slow-Down Fast.” With Lent beginning just days after the retreat, I’m going to invite the retreat ladies to join me as I embark on a “Slow-Down Fast”: a season dedicated to humbly and boldly simplifying and slowing (schedule, habits, activities, thought-patterns) in order to experience a more focused and intimate relationship with God in my everyday life.I’m inviting you, as well.Join me in a Slow-Down Fast beginning Ash Wednesday, March 9, and ending on Easter Sunday.I’ll be preparing and planning for the next two weeks and then beginning the “fast” on March 9. Lord willing, my Slow-Down Fast posts will be published on Saturdays in conjunction with Cheryl’s Simplify theme.
I’m sending you to Cheryl and inviting you back here again thanks to inspiration from Charity at Wide Open Spaces, home of There & Back Again.
Ahhh, this series sounds wonderful and right up my alley. I was just pondering this week what my focus should be for Lent…and starting to pray about possibly a book to read – maybe I should re-read yours! 🙂
Oh and I’d love to be at that retreat!! Sounds wonderful!!
Thanks for sharing…I think I’ll join you on the Slow-Down Fast. 🙂
I’ll be honored to share the Slow-Down Fast Lenten season with you, Candace, if you join! I’m simply going to show up on Saturdays with my bloggy button and write about my experiences. I may pull from the book, Not So Fast, adapting some of the Slow Notes as suggestions I’ll follow (and offer to others). 🙂
What a great idea in time for Lent: Slow-Down Fast. Can’t wait to read those posts. Oh, and I love your style. It’s simply perfect. 🙂
I can’t wait to *live* those posts! I live a fairly simple lifestyle, but I truly want to slow down even more this season and enter the “slow zone.” Every so often I have to recalibrate because things have changed or evolved and speed has picked up without my realizing it. Thus, the Slow-Down Fast is a way to pull back and evaluate and put on the brakes to find the right pace.
That’s a good thing for me to consider, especially since a cute bloggy button is involved. I’ve skipped Lent the last three years. Mom’s cancer sort of filled that slot.
Ann — I love it! I really love the play on words, too. And thanks for linking up. Joining Cheryl is something I am trying to make room for too.
Now about Lent . . . I think I have figured out what I am giving up for Lent, and it is based on Chapter 5 of Not So Fast. I’m planning to write about it tonight or tomorrow, so, this is kind of a teaser.
BUT, it fits in perfectly with your Slow Down Fast. I’ll be grabbing that button from time to time!
Ann — I just found this post by Mark Roberts from last year called “Fasting from Fast.” Not sure if you have seen it, but I thought you would like it!