This is what greeted me this morning when I popped on the computer. An article on MSN all about money. The picture alongside the title had a man sailing on what I am sure was a pricey sail boat. I immediately thought, "how sad". How many of us spend our lives trying to live like a billionaire? We put all of our time and effort into the temporary and often times damaging things that are just that, things! Things that can't make us happy, that can't make our families stronger, that can't make our marriages better, and most importantly cannot bring us closer to God. Granted I judged the article before I even read it. And I clicked on it because I am a curious being. The article itself was a relief. It was actually talking about living frugally and within our means. So I commend the author on grabbing my attention and making me think.
Sometimes during the Christmas season, I start to feel sick and bombarded by the shallowness of our society. Bigger, better, more, stuff, stuff, stuff. It is frustrating raising children in a world where they are told daily that they need this or that. That they aren't good enough if they don't have a cell phone, or Uggs, or the latest designer whatever. I had a conversation with my 11 year old just this week about how she has been made fun of because she doesn't have a cell phone. She's 11!!! It made me mad that my child would be made fun of because she doesn't have an object that no 11 year old really needs. I mean most adults don't really "need" a cell phone. Yes they are convenient, but a necessity they are not. And this comes from the girl who has and loves her iPhone, but recently realized that it isn't a need. I will be parting with it next week in an effort to simplify.
Over the next year, I would like to set some goals for simplifying my life. Some of these include downsizing our home. We live in a oversized house and only use about half of the space; if even that. It requires a lot of upkeep, is expensive to heat/air condition and the taxes are through the roof. So that is my first goal. My second is to stick to Dave Ramsey. Cash only! Planning ahead ALL of our expenses. The third is to find ways for our family to connect and have fun that are free or at the least very inexpensive. These are the first three and I have more that I would like to add, but don't want to set too many goals at this point. My motto will be "Live simply so that others may simply live".
If I am serious about my walk with God, then these things will come easily for me. I will continue to pray that God guides me on my path to simplicity and that he fills me with all of the "stuff" that I could ever need. His love!
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