Crazy Simpler Living

I hesitate to even type the following thoughts for fear that I must then act upon them.  Ever feel that way?  You know you need to do something, but if you keep quiet about it and don't share those pressing thoughts then maybe you can just get away with it and forget it.  But, I think there is MUCH room in our life for improvement in this area.

We have this notion that people with fame and fortune are happy, but one trip to the grocery store and eyeing the magazines exploiting the personal failures of the rich and famous should recalibrate us.
Jen Hatmaker says that "Excess has impaired the perspective in America; we are the richest people on the earth, praying to get richer."  I owe this blog post to this article by Jen Hatmaker entitled "SEVEN" in the January issue of Parent Life.

She and her family began a project called Seven.  For seven months, she and her family evaluated areas of excess in their lives and reduced their needs.  
*Month One: She ate only seven foods.
* Month Two: She wore the same seven items of clothing.
* Month Three: She took away seven forms of media.
*Month Four: She spent money in only seven places.
* Month Six: They adopted seven habits for a greener life.
* Month Seven: They observed seven daily prayers and the traditional Sabbath.

I know, right? Crazy!!" Turn the page, quick!" I thought...."before I get convicted!" But I couldn't turn. I had to keep reading because I knew she was right.  I knew that everyday I was clinging closer and closer to the "stuff" in my life.  I was craving new shoes & clothes, better hair products, and better food in my refrigerator.  This realization was doubled by my sweet friend and neighbor whose family really and truly practices simpler living.  Her husband says that the less dishes and clothes they have to wash, the more time they can spend on people and learning about God.  Think about it! The less clothes I have to choose from, the quicker I can get out in the morning to church! Seeing a family live it out in real life is encouraging, and Doug and I have talked about ways that we can adopt this philosophy.  I have begun to take a few steps removing excess in our home (much to our kids dismay when they saw their toys being hauled off in the van)!

May we remember the famous quote by Jim Elliot, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  The more we cling to Jesus' priorities, the less we will cling to things of this world.