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The Gas Pedal Test

Real life for me always means making minor adjustments. Sometimes they are adjustments we think about with great diligence. Other times they happen slowly, and we hardly notice them.

It reminds me of the conversation I had with my then-thirteen-year-old son, Nathan. I was driving down the road, and he started asking me about the foot pedals. He wanted to know about the one on the far right, and I told him that it wasn’t really a pedal, just a pad for resting my left foot, while the right one does all the work.

Then he asked if it was hard to adjust my speed.

“No, I’ve been driving for nearly twenty years . . . and I suppose it’s natural now. I do it without thinking. I think ‘slower’ or ‘faster’ as I read speed limit signs or take in the road conditions, but then my foot works without me really thinking about it.”

Take a good look at your life. Does it need to slow down or speed up? @TriciaGoyer

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Then, I told him about the brake pedal. It works the same way; I’m used to the right amount of pressure to slow me down and bring my vehicle to a stop.

Aren’t we the same way in life? We read the signs, take in the conditions, and speed up or slow down. For example, if I notice one of my kids seems “disconnected,” I may suggest a lunch date. Or if an editor approaches me with a project, I may “speed up” my writing goals to fit it in. It’s part of our lives we don’t think about much often.

The problem comes, though, when we want things to speed up (such as publishing goals, potty training, and adoption paperwork) and it doesn’t. Or when we want things to slow down (such as dirty toilets, kids’ activities, and the ticking clock) and they refuse to comply.

Life, it seems, isn’t as easy to control as a gas pedal on a car.

Life, it seems, isn’t as easy to control as a gas pedal on a car. @TriciaGoyer

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I was thinking about all of this when I came upon two short verses in Acts: “Then [Paul] began preaching daily at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia–both Jews and Greeks–heard the Lord’s message.” (Acts 19:9-10)

For two years, Paul preached DAILY. That must have been a big challenge. Did he come up with a new sermon every night? Did he feel stuck, wishing he could move to another place and wishing the people’s acceptance would “speed up” so he could move on?

Or maybe Paul wished things could slow down. That he could cut back to three days instead of seven. Did he lament that he didn’t have time to garden or bake like he used to? Or that he didn’t have a day when he could just kick back and do nothing?

I’m sure that both things could have occurred. Paul was human, after all. What we do know is that people throughout the province of Asia heard the Lord’s message.

So, today, what is God speaking to you? Keep the pedal study? Slow down? Speed up? Break? As you seek Him, I trust that You will know. And the more minor adjustments you make, heeding His voice and adjusting the gas pedal, the easier it becomes.

Almost like second nature.

About Notes from a Blue Bike

Notes From a Blue Bike is written by Tsh Oxenreider, founder and main voice of The Art of Simple. It doesn’t always feel like it, but we DO have the freedom to creatively change the everyday little things in our lives so that our path better aligns with our values and passions. Grab your copy here.

simplify choices — What to live simpler? Instead of expanding your opportunities, focus on what works.

We live in the land of opportunity. If I want to make Thai food for dinner, I can Google a recipe, stop at the store for all the ingredients, and whip something up. Just in my local community I can sign up for Chinese classes, painting classes, and violin. I had dozens and dozens of stores that woo me with the latest styles.

There is nothing wrong with cooking something new, starting a new hobby, or trying to dress fashionable. But all these things take time. Just because you can expand your horizons doesn’t necessarily mean you should. In fact, simple living comes down to one thing: simplicity.

If you want to save time, stick to what you know well and do well. @TriciaGoyer

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I’m a mom of six children but also an author. I discovered this truth about simplifying when researching for my Amish novels and my new Amish devotional book, The One Year Book® of Amish Peace. The Amish are simple, plain. But they also are effective.

The Amish wear the same type of clothing every day. They don’t fill their lives with media entertainment. They cook the same recipes their parents and grandparents cooked, which means they don’t waste time trying new things. It takes time to make choices, to try new things, and to follow the latest fads. The Amish get a lot of basic stuff done each day because they stick to the basics.

Want to simplify life? Stick to the basics! @TriciaGoyer

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Simplify your wardrobe. I’m drawn in by sale signs. Who isn’t excited about 80% off? Yet too often I find myself buying one clothing item that doesn’t go with anything else, which means I spend time hunting around for something to match. Can you relate? To save time, pick fashion based on function rather than fads. Also choose a few favorite stores. As “unhip” as it may be, I do 90% of my clothes shopping at Old Navy and JC Penny. I know I can find simple items for me that fit and that last.

Simplify your meals. I enjoy cooking. I enjoy trying new recipes, but it takes time to try something new and hunt down all the ingredients. I use my 20 top recipes 80% of the time. I keep my pantry and freezer stocked. I have what I need to get the job done at a moment’s notice. It just saves times!

Simplify your routine. Every morning I wake up, drink a glass of water, gather my Bible and Bible study, and sit down to connect with God. I write a blog, then shower, dress, and get the kids dressed and fed. I drive my daughter to school, return home, get started on chores, spend time with the littlest kids, and then I answer emails. During nap time I work on bigger writing projects. It may seem like a boring routine, but it works. I know what I need to do and what must be accomplished to have everything done. There are lots of places I’d like to go and lots of things I’d like to do, but if I get too scattered nothing gets done.

We live in a land of opportunity and I continually have to remind myself that I have chosen what’s most important . . . and what’s most important is to stick to that!

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