Lent is OVER!

Well, I survived 6 weeks without facebook. It was actually not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Honestly for most of it I didn't even notice. What I did notice was that I had a lot more free time, I read a lot more, and I got more done at work during planning time. Go figure. :) I did return to facebook today and even though it was awesome to take a break, I don't think I'll be getting rid of it completely anytime soon. I love staying in touch with people through it and seeing what everyone is up to! I'm glad to be back Facebook....but it's always nice to take a break from you every once in a while.

Shopping was a little bit harder to let go than facebook, but ultimately it was also very rewarding. I have not gone shopping yet, but I'm sure I will sometime this week. It was eye-opening to see how I was tempted to shop when I had free time or was bored. Plus, I saved more money, gave more money away and got rid of a lot of stuff without replacing it with more stuff. Having this fast from shopping helped me see the importance of thinking about what I spend my money on. I hope to continue this mindset as I go into stores asking myself: Do I really need this? or Can I get rid of something to replace this with?

While I was home visiting my parents this weekend, I was going through my old room and helping my mom get rid of things around her house. Fasting from facebook and shopping made me think about the "clutter" in my life both literally and figuratively. Every day I desire to have a more "simple" life that is focused on Jesus and not on "things." This Lenten season reaffirmed this desire and I hope it continues to grow.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! He is RISEN! :)

From Simplicity to Solitude

Well, I made it through one month of discipline-mania! :) I am really glad I started out with simplicity. I learned so much about how seeking God's Kingdom first and laying all my anxieties at His feet truly simplifies my life. I still have a long way to go, but I feel ready to make more changes in mu everyday life.

My shopping fast was a huge eye opener. For one, my bank account is MUCH larger than it usually is at the first of the month. My credit card bill was about a third of last month's. It's incredible how much I spent on stuff I obviously didn't need. I went shopping with a friend on Sunday and it was amazing how my mindset had changed in what I thought I "needed" to get. I am hoping this will stay with me. This fast also showed me that when I'm bored or stressed, there are many other ways I can spend my time beside shopping. :) I also found I can even go to a store and GASP! not buy anything.

There is plenty I still want to work on even though the months is over. I am still praying about how God wants me to give to others more both financially and with my own time. I also need to continue to not be anxious about ANYTHING and give it all to GOd in prayer.

I am very excited about this year since this first month was so awesome! Stay tuned for my plans in November with SOLITUDE. :)

Keeping it Simple

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... can any of your worrying add a single hour to your span of life?... Therefore do not worry saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink" or "What will we wear?"... indeed your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Selected verses from Matthew 6:25-33)

This has been the theme verse of my first week of focusing on simplicity. Foster emphasized it in the simplicity chapter. He talked about how we should not live in anxiety. If we are seeking the kingdom of God we will not be anxious. This was definitely a lesson I needed to be re-taught on. Over and over.

My first week or so of my journey has been awesome. I have really enjoyed reflecting on what it means to live simply. Just the simple of act of giving up "fun" shopping has been an eye-opener. It has only been 10 days and it has been a struggle! It was probably ten times worse that I am off of work so I have had a lot more free time. There were so many times this past week I have wanted to go browse Target or check out some new shoes at DSW. But I DIDN'T so I celebrate that. It really showed me what a bad habit I have gotten myself into. I hope to keep this lesson in my heart after this month is over.

As I continue this month, I will be praying about ways to give. Not just in the monetary sense, however I need to become more faithful in that area.

As always, thanks for reading!

Simplicity

In "Celebration of Discipline", Richard Foster begins the chapter on simplicity by writing, "Simplicity is freedom." (p. 79) Isn't that so true? Sometimes I feel the gadgets "supposed" to make our lives easier, the clothes that are "supposed" to make us look cooler and the things we are "supposed" to have just make our lives more complicated and difficult. Reading this chapter on simplicity was very convicting. I struggle constantly with worshipping material items and using shopping as an escape from stress, anxiety or even boredom. I feel strongly that God wishes me to address these issues in my first month of study.

Foster writes that "the Christian Discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style." (p. 79) Foster writes about three inner attitudes and ten controlling principles for the outward expression of simplicity. He does warn that simplicity can turn into idolatry itself and legalism if taken too far. Balance is the key to achieving simplicity.

Foster emphasizes that "The central point for the Discipline of simplicity is to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of his kingdom FIRST and then everything necessary will come in its proper order." (p. 86) Our focal point must be God and His kingdom....not simplicity itself. "To receive what we have as a gift from God is the first inner attitude of simplicity...to know that it is God's business, and not ours, to care for what we have is the second inner attitude...[and] to have our goods available to others marks the third inner attitude of simplicity" (p. 88-89)

His list of outward expressions of simplicity were very inspiring and I have decided to use them as guidelines for my first month of study (and hopefully beyond this first month!):

1. Buy things for usefulness rather than status (p. 90)

2. Reject anything you have become addicted to (p. 90)

3. Get into the habit of giving things away (p.91)

4. Don't give into getting all the "new gadgets" (p.92)

5. Enjoy things without having to own them (p. 93)

6. Appreciate nature and God's creating (p.93)

7. Be wary of "buy now, pay later" schemes (p. 94)

8. Use "plain, honest speech" (p.94)

9. Don't buy or use anything that promotes oppression of others (p.95)

10. Get rid of anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God (p.96)

These are just guidelines of course, and as Foster warned, I don't want to take these too strictly. A couple goals I have for October are: 1. No shopping for myself besides groceries/toiletries. 2. Get rid of things I don't need/use 3. Look at what I spend my time doing/using and see if anything is an unhealthy addiction

I'll let you know how it is going at the end of the month. Thanks for reading!