I've been on a spiritual journey since September that's been nicknamed "A Year of Spiritual Disciplines." Each month I (along with several friends) have focused on a certain spiritual discipline and really tried to incorporate it into my lifestyle.
This month I focused on simplicity.
Beginning this month I felt like I had a pretty good grasp on this discipline seeing that Lucas and I already lived pretty simply. I began the month by reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker (I cannot say enough good things about her or her book, so please, just check it out yourself!!!) and as I read it I prayed that God would open my eyes to areas of excess in our lives. Bouncing off of Jen's idea for clothing, I decided to only wear 7 outfits of clothing this month (including my at-home outfit and my workout outfit, leaving me with 5 out-of-the-house outfits). However, once I read her chapter, I realized that five outfits wasn't going to be that difficult, so I narrowed it down to three.
And so this month, I've been wearing the same clothes over and over and over and over again. I've greatly reduced my time getting ready and figuring out what to wear, and that, I've enjoyed. But then I've struggled with simply wanting to wear something else. I wanted to dress up and wear something different when Lucas and I celebrated Valentine's Day and even asked Lucas what he thought about me "cheating." Seeing the honest man that he is, he replied, "I don't really understand the whole purpose anyway, but if it's supposed to be a struggle at all, tonight would be one of those times." So nope, no sympathy there.
I've become more and more comfortable realizing that people don't spend nearly as much time thinking about me than I think about them thinking about me! I was both relieved and humbled. Relieved to see that no one cared what I wore nearly as much as I thought they might care. Humbled, because people thought about me less often than I thought about them thinking about me. I've been challenged to re-look at my wardrobe and see what's excessive. It's easy to feel inadequate when it comes to fashion and often find myself thinking that I lack in some way. Yet, one look at my closet tells me that I lack nothing.
And I've seen this over and over and over again.We've been eating meals only from my Less is More cookbook or vegetarian recipes I've found. I've loved the obvious grocery bill decrease, but also have enjoyed trying so many recipes that are less taxing on the environment and our resources. And though we've cut back and our diet has changed (slightly), I realize again that we lack nothing.
The topic of simplicity and stewardship is one that weighs heavily on my heart. Sometimes I find myself slipping into complacency, patting ourselves on our backs because-- compared to others-- we live quite simply. We don't indulge in many things that people consider "the basics" or "givens" like cable, Netflix, unlimited internet usage or cell phone data. But I glance around me and I see a furnished, beautiful home; a thermostat set to a comfortable temperature; a generously stocked kitchen; a full fridge and the list could go on and on and on and on. Could it not? I don't have to think real hard to see that I lack nothing.
Oh sweet Jesus, teach me to live simply so that others may simply live.
This month I focused on simplicity.
Beginning this month I felt like I had a pretty good grasp on this discipline seeing that Lucas and I already lived pretty simply. I began the month by reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker (I cannot say enough good things about her or her book, so please, just check it out yourself!!!) and as I read it I prayed that God would open my eyes to areas of excess in our lives. Bouncing off of Jen's idea for clothing, I decided to only wear 7 outfits of clothing this month (including my at-home outfit and my workout outfit, leaving me with 5 out-of-the-house outfits). However, once I read her chapter, I realized that five outfits wasn't going to be that difficult, so I narrowed it down to three.
And so this month, I've been wearing the same clothes over and over and over and over again. I've greatly reduced my time getting ready and figuring out what to wear, and that, I've enjoyed. But then I've struggled with simply wanting to wear something else. I wanted to dress up and wear something different when Lucas and I celebrated Valentine's Day and even asked Lucas what he thought about me "cheating." Seeing the honest man that he is, he replied, "I don't really understand the whole purpose anyway, but if it's supposed to be a struggle at all, tonight would be one of those times." So nope, no sympathy there.
I've become more and more comfortable realizing that people don't spend nearly as much time thinking about me than I think about them thinking about me! I was both relieved and humbled. Relieved to see that no one cared what I wore nearly as much as I thought they might care. Humbled, because people thought about me less often than I thought about them thinking about me. I've been challenged to re-look at my wardrobe and see what's excessive. It's easy to feel inadequate when it comes to fashion and often find myself thinking that I lack in some way. Yet, one look at my closet tells me that I lack nothing.
And I've seen this over and over and over again.We've been eating meals only from my Less is More cookbook or vegetarian recipes I've found. I've loved the obvious grocery bill decrease, but also have enjoyed trying so many recipes that are less taxing on the environment and our resources. And though we've cut back and our diet has changed (slightly), I realize again that we lack nothing.
The topic of simplicity and stewardship is one that weighs heavily on my heart. Sometimes I find myself slipping into complacency, patting ourselves on our backs because-- compared to others-- we live quite simply. We don't indulge in many things that people consider "the basics" or "givens" like cable, Netflix, unlimited internet usage or cell phone data. But I glance around me and I see a furnished, beautiful home; a thermostat set to a comfortable temperature; a generously stocked kitchen; a full fridge and the list could go on and on and on and on. Could it not? I don't have to think real hard to see that I lack nothing.
Oh sweet Jesus, teach me to live simply so that others may simply live.
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