Celebrating SimplicitySample

Speaking Simply

Mary asked me to teach Sunday school. Because I was just beginning to learn about the discipline of simplicity, I wanted to respond carefully, acknowledging her need but aware that I was committed to serving the church in another way at that time. So I simply said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not called to teach Sunday school.” There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone line, and then Mary said something I will never forget: “Thank you for being so honest.” In so many of her calls that evening, she had gotten lots of excuses as to why they couldn’t do it now, but maybe later because they were so busy right now, etc., etc., etc. She was so relieved to get an honest, straightforward answer, even though it was no, that she hung up feeling encouraged!

The discipline of simplicity deals with all aspects of our lives, including our conversations. When we say more than is necessary to answer a request for assistance, we begin to tread on the dangerous ground of saying things that may not be entirely true so as to justify our unwillingness or inability to help, or make the other person feel better. We feel obligated to come up with some invincible excuse that will make it OK to reject the request and still be likable to the other person.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no. If you don’t want to or aren’t able to do it, simply say so. You will be doing everyone a favor.

From Spiritual Disciplines Devotional by Valerie E. Hess.