So Very Many Simple Things

"And I
can’t wait
to meet you
and show you
food and oceans
so very many simple things"

My heart is full this advent season. I'm not even sure I can explain. We make meaning by adding word to word, but a heart is filled with moments, glimpses, knowings. We brush against love and it clings to our souls, leaving behind its fragrance or the almost imperceptible imprint of its touch. Words try. They reach and can't quite encompass. But they try. That's all I can promise.

My mother is losing her memory. And her hair. The latter is due to chemotherapy. We're not sure what's causing the former.

The chemo is also causing the skin on her thumbs to split open and bleed, and the tumor in her hip makes walking difficult and painful.

I'm thinking about simplicity this advent season. About what matters.

"Harper Sparrow, teach me how to fly with the King of kings
I hear you’ve just been with him . . . "

About my parents. And my granddaughter. Lives lived long. Life just beginning.

"Your first song is all I ever want to sing again
Won’t you sing with me, my love,
into eternity, my love . . ."

About joy in pain and beauty in brokenness.

About a daughter's first daughter.

And a daughter-in-law whose eyes shine with joy even as her belly has only just begun to bulge with new life.

About the gift of music, passed from one generation to the next . . .

Accessible. Mysterious. Holy. Wonder-full.

I'm thinking about simplicity this advent season, and I'm pausing in the rush of rushing to soak before beauty. To let it break my heart.

When I see a burning bush set against endless blue, to take off my shoes. When a row of fog-enshrouded streetlamps becomes a procession of haloed saints, to hush my hurrying steps that I might hear their prayers.

I'm learning to listen to quiet voices. And I'm letting go.

"'Cause I
can't wait
to meet you
and show you . . ."

"Food and oceans . . ."

"So very many simple things."

I'm thinking about simplicity this advent season. About what matters. Ann Voskamp's beautiful, quiet example gave our family permission to complete a shift we began years ago by selecting items from the Samaritan's Purse catalog in honor of our extended family members. But until this year we still felt obligated to purchase material gifts as well, even if we had to wrack our brains to come up with something the recipient might not even want and definitely didn't need.

This year all our gifts will benefit "the least of these." Our children are 100% on board and excited about it. But there are still some people we'd like to bless with a physical gift, and I know the perfect way we (and you!) can do both.

Curtis wrote Food and Oceans, the song quoted throughout this post, before Harper was born. When you listen to it, you feel his joyful anticipation as he eagerly waits to introduce his daughter to a world where every experience would be brand new for her, and through her, for him. That song is included on Jubilee's fabulous, creative, delightful new album, To See You Well. (Can you tell I'm excited about it?) It's due to release in January, and everyone on my Christmas list is going to get one.

"But," you say, "January comes after Christmas." You are very observant. And so is Jubilee. That's why they're offering a special opportunity this week only to pre-order To See You Well. When you order, they'll send a Christmas Card featuring original album artwork to stuff in the appropriate stocking announcing your gift. You'll also receive an access code to download four tracks from the album, and a link to Jubilee's not-yet-released-to-the-public music video of Food and Oceans. And of course, the CD will be sent as soon as it's available. As always, 50% of sales will go to International Justice Mission to support their fight against modern-day slavery and human trafficking. So much goodness! Can you think of a more perfect gift?

If you're still not sure, maybe Grace and Harper can convince you:

 

Click here to pre-order To See You Well

And have a simply beautiful Christmas!

 

Jeanne Damoff is a fan of Jubilee. And food. And oceans. And so very many simple things. Oh, and Harper Sparrow. She's teaching us all how to fly.

Comments

[Patricia (Pollywog Creek)]

My heart beats with every beautiful word and photo here, Jeanne. My life is rich in the simple things. Rich. You and Ann both inspire. It's not always easy to make these decisions about gift giving at Christmas. I love to give gifts, as I'm sure you do, as well. I've sponsored a Compassion child for my two 4yo grandsons as their Christmas gifts this year. We'll continue to cover the monthly sponsorship until they are old enough to contribute, but we want Diego to be a gift to Gavin and Mason that will hopefully encourage them to grow into cheerful givers to the least of these. Diego is also 4. He is from Guatemala, so I'm also giving the boys a book about Guatemala, a blow-up globe, a framed photo of Diego, and a special box of letter writing supplies.

Thank you so much for this beautiful post, Jeanne...and the link to Jubilee's music.

Much love,
Patricia

[Jeanne Damoff]

What a beautiful, thoughtful gift for your grandsons, Patricia! We love Compassion International and consider them one of the most (if not THE most) effective ministries to poverty-stricken children. We sponsored our first Compassion child eighteen years ago when Jacob was eleven -- an eleven year old boy named Surachia from Thailand -- and Jacob wrote the letters to him. It was life changing for our kids to love and serve and pray for someone who lived with so little. Surachia long since graduated from Compassion's program as have others we've sponsored through the years, but there are always more to take in.

You are giving your grandsons something far more valuable than toys. You're teaching them how to sing into eternity. Blessings on you, your grandsons, and your simply rich life.

Love, Jeanne

[Madison Richards]

Beautiful. Wonderful. Thoughtful. Joyful.

Thank you for sharing your heart and your most beautiful gifts with us...

Much love,

M

[deb @ talk at the table]

I am back ... I read and then went to Jubilee's site and listened to their music.. and then got sidetracked.

This post, these photos... this is the life .

I know in my heart that ripples from your gifted love continue to make a difference in my life and those I touch.
I hope this is how we all see our lives, as you said , even in the simple, we cannot know.

[Tina F]

This is so lovely. Thank you.