Makin' Changes

I've been reading a book called 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. It's written by a Christian speaker Jen Hatmaker. She is very knowledgeable, kind, and FUNNY! Have I ever read a book that made me laugh like this?? No.Way. I've had to stop reading, so I could just sit and laugh for a second at something she wrote. It's really not a comedic topic... but she is so witty!

She and her family change one big thing in their lives, each month, for 7 months. First, food. Only eating 7 food items for a month. She chose chicken, eggs, whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes, spinach, avocados, and apples. She can use salt and pepper and only drink water. Sounds like torture to me, but it really taught her just how much food she has access to, and how much of it she took for granted and wasted. The next month was clothes, she could only wear 7 items of clothing total for the whole month. Including shoes! (But not including underwear and such, gotta stay clean!) It goes on like this through possessions, media, waste, spending, and stress.

I'm not considering doing this whole experiment 100% or anything. (This girl will never give up coffee! Or facebook!) But it has opened my eyes to how much we have and changed how I think. Now, I've just got to change what we do. It's so easy to be focused on what we “need”. Funny how most of the things I say we need are truly wants. And petty ones at that. Eric and I have had a lot going on these last few months, and some of them are pretty big stressers. After reading this book, I feel like a fool for worrying so much. We have everything we need and more! And always do.

I need to be more grateful for this and start giving back. Our first step was becoming members of our church. We spent Sunday evening at church in the class to join and it was a lot of fun. We met some really nice people, learned everything we need to know about the church (I wasn't raised Baptist, so this was important!), they served a delicious meal, and we joined! We have two small groups that we are planning to attend and hope that one will be right for us. Being more involved and connected in church will certainly help us stay focused on the right things as a family. And Eric will be baptized soon. SO happy :)

The next step is giving. More. To other people. Who need it! We have a lot. And stop buying so much stuff. God doesn't want us here on this earth to hoard a bunch of crap for ourselves. None of which we can take with us when we're dead. Here, this says it better ;)

Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21)

That part really got to me. I surely do not want my heart to lie in a coach purse :/ Or to answer to God someday for being so selfish. Would we really buy the things we buy, do the things we do, or say the things we say, if God was in the room looking at us? Or just try and justify it as if you were speaking to Him..

There were so many other wonderful lessons in this book. I can't recommend it enough! I know it won't be easy to make changes, but we are really going to try!!