So what are the basics?
As I got up this morning contemplating this question - not even dressed yet, the baby began crying for his breakfast, the 3 year old needed to get up and go potty, the 4 year old needed help getting dressed, the 6 year old wanted to help but couldn’t find his shoes, the 7 year old was reading - oblivious to everything else, and the 9 year old (who had started out well feeding the chickens) was lost in his own thoughts trying to invent something incredible with 2 paper clips, a rubber band, and some leftover cheerios that he found when he was supposed to be cleaning off the table for breakfast. The oldest three are away from home today. Hmmmmmm - what are the basics? The dictionary on the computer says the basics are what is most important, elementary - the starting point, without extra, plain - utilitarian, fundamental, essential, nitty-gritty, the nuts and bolts. As I listen to my children and assess my day so far it would seem that food, clothing, and a cleaner shelter (so we didn’t have old cheerios for invention projects) would be utmost on my list. Those things are definitely “basics”, but around here even just the essentials can be overwhelming on some days. How can I accomplish the physical necessities with grace and love? My mind goes to a verse in Matthew - 6:33. Jesus is teaching people about His priorities. He knows that we need clothes, food, drink, (and a clean shelter). He tells me not to worry about those things, but to seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all those other “basics” will be added to me. How do I seek His kingdom and His righteousness? I think it begins with a few minutes on my knees before my Savior. **If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, please consider this the most basic need in your life.** I must seek God’s wisdom to order our lives and our home according to His plan and purpose. I must do that now.