One Simple Thing

How long is your list of changes you need in your life? Mine used to be pretty long. Every New Year’s Day, I knew that the list was long, yet I hoped to achieve all the necessary changes. As the years rolled on, I noticed that nothing changed. Even the resolve to try changing something became less and less strong.

Why bother? Then, one day, I decided I would not write a list.

I would not have a list at all. Instead, I wrote a letter to God. I told Him, “I am done trying to change, as I’m constantly failing. I give up.” I also gave Him permission to do whatever it took to change me into the person He wants me to be.

To show that I was really serious about that, I would change one small, simple thing in my life. I could do that. One small, simple thing.

I could change that. The rest —the big list— God could deal with that. My choice of one small, simple thing still required quite a bit of will and determination. It was going to be a lifelong change. I opted for something I had heard was very beneficial for a person’s health. It boosts the work of white blood cells, invigorates, and helps you get out of the shower into a cold bathroom. I was going to finish my warm showers with cold water. I remember that first time. Ooo! Ayyy! Brrr! Grrr! Well, nothing has changed since that first time. Cold water after my warm shower still doesn’t feel nice.

But I still do it —for almost thirty years now. I cannot begin to tell you how many things in my life changed after that.

I am amazed to see what God performed in my life. I opened the door and kept it open by continuing to do this one small, simple change in my life, and God did the rest. I invite you to do the same. No, not the cold shower! But find one small, simple thing you can change in your life and continue doing it daily.

Let God do the rest!

Danijela Schubert