Over the last year I have been inspired by books and blogs to live more simply. I believe that simplicity has a lot of benefits for faith and family life. It forces you to step back and decided what is really important.
One significant aspect of simple living is having less stuff. At the beginning of the summer I reflected on how quickly stuff accumulates in our home. I concede my role in this accumulation. I’m not a frivolous shopper, but I do have my weaknesses. However, I’ve been making an active effort to pare down and simplify what we have. We have given away a good portion of stuff but I don’t feel like it’s made much difference. The empty spaces are quickly being replaced by other items… like wine making equipment and mason jars. I guess paring down is a constant process, like doing laundry, no matter how much you want to be done you never are.
Even though the stuff output = intake right now, I am finding that my view of stuff is shifting. I find myself being a better steward of what I have while being less attached to all the stuff. After all, this stuff won’t be with me after I die.
“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” Job 1:21
Audery Assead – Everything Is Yours
1 comment
So true. Who would have thought that living simply would be a daily challenge? But you really do have to be in a constant state of awareness to have any chance of resisting society's consumerist focus. Its harder than I thought it would be.