Simple is often the best choice.
I stared at the simple paper clip. That is all it took.
A simple paper clip. A twist of a wire.
The technician on the other end of a live chat helped me tackle a tech problem with my internet router. He suggested we do a reset. “Take a paper clip,” he said, “insert it into the tiny hole for three seconds to reboot the system.” We then proceeded to follow a few easy steps and bingo, my internet was back online and all was well.
A simple paper clip. I think too often we make things more complicated than we need to. Where I had been overwhelmed by frustration with technology and near to tears with obstacles and confusion, a simple paper clip saved the day. I smiled at this little gadget and had to look up its history.
Paper has been around for centuries being invented by the Chinese and ribbons, melting wax, and later straight pins were used to hold papers together. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s until the paper clip appeared and different people claim patents and its beginnings. The first bent steel wire paper clip was patented by Samuel B. Fay in 1867. Its original purpose was for attaching tickets to fabric, although the patent recognized that it could be used to attach papers together.
This simple twist of wire isn’t just for paper as the internet lists 100’s of uses, such as poking a hole in the plugged Elmer Glue bottle, a zipper tab, a Christmas ornament holder, bookmark, lock pick, and more. As a teenager, I made jewelry with paperclips. I bet you can think of some uses too. Amazing, isn’t it?
Keeping our choices simple is a good guideline for discernment practice too. When faced with difficult decision I ask myself, “what is simplest answer?”
I ask God to open my eyes to see the clearer path. What is one clean step before me? I often find God’s answers are simple, never complicated.
This whole thought process and talking with God about keeping things simple reminded me about me about a blog post I wrote a few years ago about rearranging my back porch to find just the right sacred space. I tried and tried and tried and just couldn’t find the right arrangement until I made only one simple move. My efforts were so complicated when simple was the answer. You can read about that simple lesson here.
Currently I find the world a bit overwhelming. Certainly, the news and social media is crazy, distracting, and noisy. At times I wake up, not rested with a heavy heart for all the people being rejected, neglected, and dehumanized. I feel helpless. Where is the mercy, justice, and love?
I sit at the edge of the bed and God hands me a paper clip and reminds me to reset. It’s a new day. God is in charge. I can forgive again. I can love once more. I can keep my eyes on God, not the news. I hope and know Light will shine. I know who I am and Whose I am.
Each morning is a new reset. A simple reset by the divine paper clip. A daily simple lesson.
What simple lessons are you learning lately?
Simple is always my preferred way to go, Jean. I loved how the simple paper clip saved the day for you in getting your tech difficulties solved. Who would have “thunk” that? When we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, may we look to God to provide His simple answer of love, grace and faithfulness. We simply need to trust Him to give us exactly what we need when we need it. Blessings!
I find I do make things too complicated most of the time when simple is the best way. it was a good reminder and lesson for me. Trust and grace is the best way, right!
I appreciate this 5-minute reset you just gave me, Jean. I need it. Maybe I’ll set out a paperclip to be reminded of this lesson. I’ve been so discouraged the past few weeks too to see so many people hurting and in harms’ way. May we continue to shine light and love to brighten what spaces we can!
I was talking with a friend just yesterday who decided to get a paperclip and set it on his bedside table to see it every morning as a reminder. I thought that was a good idea. I too have been so discouraged since January with all the news but am finding waking up focusing only on the day to day, following Jesus as close as I can with love and forgiveness as close as I can, listening and loving helps me get through the day. To be honest, I think it will be hard to do for four years though
Oh, I feel your frustration over technology, Jean!! At times I’ve wanted to throw my computer over the railing of the deck and into the trees, while screaming at the top of my lungs! Thankfully at the outer limits of my frustration there’s a tad bit of self-control left.😁 / I love your morning reset–a good habit for all of us to take up. As for a recent simple lesson, I’m coming up empty-brained. ‘Can’t think of an example at this moment!
I was about ready to throw my computer away too. I was sooooo frustrated. and so amazed when that simple paper clip worked. such a lesson. so many lesson surround us if we just pay attention, right?