SIMPLE40 - Day 34 - Seek and Understand

SIMPLICITY is a spiritual discipline that trains the soul to fulfill its God-given mission.

I find it truly amazing that all the different aspects of simplicity that we have addressed so far build upon one another. The last few days in particular, learning about the stability of the Eucharist and then silence and solitude. Can you see how it all flows together?

One of the fruits of silence and solitude is discernment. When you spend time with God in silence, listening and just being present with Him, you can't help but feel like He is calling you in one way or another. It may take some time to feel the nudge, but He will nudge you. It might be easy to ignore it at first, but then it keeps happening and you just can't ignore it anymore so you take a step forward. And then another one. And another one. You soon find time to do what God has placed on your heart and the peace follows.

In order to pursue a life of simplicity, it is important to know how to practice discernment. Discernment is the process you use to seek and understand God's will for your life. You do not need to discern every detail of your life, as that would be exhausting and can lead to scrupulosity. Your discernment is always between two goods. Discerning between something good and something evil is not a matter for discernment. Simply put...do what you know is right. The moral teachings of the Church are available to us and provide clarity so you do not always need to rely on your own judgement.

Learn when it is appropriate to say "yes" and when it is appropriate to say "no"...and most importantly, how to tell the difference. The most important question to ask yourself is: "What is God asking of me?" This question will guide you in making a good choice in regards to what you should take on and what you shouldn't.

Sometimes, God does not answer you as directly and quickly as you would like, no matter how hard you might pray about your decision. In times like this, He may be calling you to grow in trust and faith. Do not be afraid of failure. You will often learn more from your failures than you from your successes. The hope is that you will turn to God before making decisions to open yourself up to His grace, giving you confidence to move forward. Remember that your confidence is not in yourself, but in God.

Raise your heart to God and He will not refuse to guide you when all other guidance is taken away from you; and then choose, unhesitatingly, what you believe, in good faith, to be the most suitable, the most useful to souls, and the most in conformity with the Will of God.

~Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Discernment of Spirits

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spiritual

Over the past week, we have been gently drawn into silence, invited into solitude, and encouraged to simplify both our surroundings and our interior lives. All of this has not been accidental, it has been preparation. Preparation for discernment.

The wisdom below from Cardinal Mercier beautifully gathers these threads together and places them into a simple, daily practice that opens the heart to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

This prayer begins each of my coaching sessions for a reason. It is not meant to be rushed or recited mechanically, but entered into with intention. In just a few quiet minutes, we step away from the noise, the striving, the need to figure everything out, and instead place ourselves in a posture of listening. We acknowledge that discernment is not something we manufacture and force to fit our lives, it is something we receive.

God is not asking us to have all the answers; He is asking us to be still enough to hear His.

So each day, even if only for five minutes, quiet your imagination. Let the swirl of thoughts settle. Close your eyes to what is visible and your ears to what competes for your attention. Gently withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptized soul, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This is where clarity begins, not in effort, but in surrender. Speak simply, honestly, and with trust:

O Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore Thee. Enlighten me, guide me,strengthen and console me. Tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it. I promise to submit to everything that you ask of me and to accept all that you allow to happen to me. Just show me what is Thy will. AMEN

If you return to this small practice day after day, you may begin to notice something subtle but powerful. Discernment becomes a peaceful attentiveness, not stressful decision-making. Even in the midst of uncertainty or difficulty, there is a steadiness that emerges, a quiet confidence that you are not navigating alone. Grace meets you there, strengthening you, guiding you, and gently leading you forward, one faithful step at a time.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE 4X6 OF THIS POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

OHolySpirit.pdf

Download PDF • 2.98MB

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self

You are meant to live in freedom, and to truly be free. But that kind of freedom begins with self-knowledge. It requires taking the time to understand who you are: your temperament, your spiritual gifts, your strengths, and even your limitations. When you begin to see yourself clearly and honestly, without comparison or pressure, you create space for authentic discernment.

You are no longer asking, “What should I do?” in a vacuum, but rather, “Lord, how do You want to use who You have created me to be?”

As this awareness grows, another invitation naturally follows, one that touches our everyday interactions: the call to disarm our speech. To know yourself well also means recognizing how your words impact others. Are they rushed, reactive, or sharp? Or are they patient, measured, and life-giving? Discernment is not only about big decisions; it is revealed in the way we speak and listen. When we choose words rooted in kindness, when we pause before responding, and when we truly listen...without interrupting, fixing, or formulating our reply...we create space for deeper connection and for the Holy Spirit to work through us.

This kind of intentional communication is an act of humility. It softens our hearts and aligns us more closely with God’s will, because it shifts the focus from ourselves to the person in front of us. In these small, daily moments of disarmed speech and attentive listening, we begin to reflect Christ more clearly.

And from that place of self-awareness and openness, discernment becomes clearer. You begin to recognize how God is uniquely calling you to serve, to love, and to build His Kingdom. There is nothing that will bring greater fulfillment or deeper joy than stepping into that calling. Honestly, that is why I am sitting here typing this SIMPLE40 message tonight. God has placed this on my heart, and I am choosing to move forward with the gentle nudges He continues to place before me.

What is God nudging you to do?

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service 

Discernment is not only about recognizing God’s will, just as importantly it is about responding to it. So often, His invitations come through simple, everyday opportunities to serve.

As you continue working toward your 40 acts of service this Lent, consider returning to the list of 100 ways to serve for inspiration. Let it be a gentle guide, not a checklist. Ask the Lord, “Who are You placing in front of me today?” and be open to however He answers.

The smallest acts, done with love, are often the clearest expression of a well-discerned heart.

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simple recipe

PESTO TORTELLINI SOUP

Simple, quick and delicious, this soup is perfect for a Lenten Friday or any day with the addition of grilled chicken. Serve with some flatbread and a salad.

SERVES 3-4

INGREDEINTS

1 cup green onion, chopped

4 cups vegetable broth

20 oz frozen cheese tortellini

12 oz snow peas

8 oz prepared pesto

2 C chopped fresh spinach

DIRECTIONS

Combine green onion and broth and bring to boil. Stir in tortellini and reduce heat to medium and cook for 3 min. Stir in pea pods and spinach and cook for another 3 min. Stir in the pesto and serve.

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Thank you for following along! Can you believe Palm Sunday is tomorrow? I am looking forward to journeying through this Holy Week with you....in simplicity and with intention.