I've been thinking a lot about simplicity, of scaling down my possessions and hence the complexity of my life.
Since our possessions can (falsely) make us feel secure, choosing to live simply can be an exercise in trusting God with abandon.
My thought is that living with as little as possible will tame the current state of my atomic structure, which feels as though each molecule is frantically and frenetically jumping about. I long for peace in my busy life, and inviting serenity to reign in my home feels like the first step.
I think of Franciscan monks with their simple brown robes, and realize that their simplicity of life is not just for their good; it allows those around them to more clearly see God without "stuff" getting in the way.
Off I go on my journey to collect & give away the odd pieces of my life that hold me back...
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14 comments:
It is amazing how quickly we accumulate stuff! With this "holiday season" upon us may we think before we buy this season and maybe help out a needy family with a meal or two instead!
Charlene
Great idea, Charlene! Our overflowing Thanksgiving table prompted those thoughts in me this year. We live in such a state of excess that we can hardly relate to those who don't.
God bless you!
Esther
Mmmmm... yes, I agree with you. When I was single I often considered getting rid of every thing I ownded, simply to rely fully on Christ. Not to mention, I couldn't help but think about people in other countries with no mattress... and there I was with more than I knew what to do with.
It's refreshing to read something like this. I definitely know what you feel.
Our pastor actually spoke on this very thing today. I don't want to be secure in this world, I want to be secure fully on Christ.
So very true! I have found that less is truly more, although, it is difficult at times with the way we are raised to think and act. There are so many distractions in today's world coming from material things...
And during this time of year, so many people (with good intentions, most of the time) try to get the "biggest and best" gifts out there. Which of course takes our focus off of the real Reason for the Season...
God bless,
Dean
How true; how true. Ashley reminds me ... I have 2 mattresses and one box spring on each of the spare beds. I say 'that is so ... if more than 2 people ... stay over together ... we can put the spares on the floor; and with two couches also ... geeeeezh, I wish I had company more often.
I have been ... for the past 3 months trying to cull out unneeded things. There is a saying 'if you have not used it in a year, you probably will not ... ever again'. Clothes closet ... Here I come. Merci, ma cherie, for this. Another good one ... with thoughtful advice and plenty of spiritual thoughts. xxxooo Cajun Sissy
I was just cleaning out my garage this weekend. I couldn't even walk in it. My son had cleaned his room and so appeared months/years of items that he'd accumulated. We were able to get 6 boxes pared down to 2 boxes of keepsakes!
I find that the most difficult items to get rid of are things the kids made. Like I want to hold on to the past when they were littler. But here I am cleaning out the garage, ticked off, instead of playing with them out at the beach! Hmmm....
Ashley - Yes, in the world and not of it... I so appreciate your tender heart in Christ.
God bless you!
Esther
Hi, Dean - We do a novena to St. Anthony at church each Tuesday, and our current one is that we would allow Christ to make His home in our hearts in a greater way this Christmas. What a beautiful thought! May you be visited and blessed by Him in a wonderful way. Thanks for your post.
God bless you!
Esther
Thanks, Macile. You are ever encouraging!
Many blessings,
Esther
Kim, I am impressed that you made 4 boxes of clutter go away! I don't believe I've ever thrown away anything the boys have made; I have every drawing - In my book that just doesn't count as clutter...
Good to read you! Have fun at the beach soon...
Love, Esther
Thanks for your comment! I agree that a life of simplicity makes sense for followers of Christ. It's something that I still need to work on - I get frustrated with myself a lot when I start buying stuff I don't need, and I want to be a better steward of my resources. It's very hard to do in our culture, but that makes the sacrifice of living simply all the more meaningful, I think. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, and I look forward to reading more from you. :-)
Hi Elizabeth -
Thanks for visiting! Since living simply is going against the current (as you point out), it takes great effort! I see it as a work in progress... I'm not quite there, but am plodding in that direction.
God bless you!
Esther
I'll never forget a story I read by someone who visited Mother Theresa's orphanage in India. She described walking down the early morning street past people who were using buckets of water to wash for the day. I had never before considered my hot morning shower a luxury, part of my accumulation of "stuff".
Amazing the things we take for granted, eh Anne? Years ago I had a roommate who returned to the US after being a missionary nurse in India. I will never forget her incredulity at our wide, clean streets. She had forgotten completely what they were like...
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