Unhurried

Today was a good, slow day. I relish days without rushing. Those days tend to be less productive in terms of sheer numbers of tasks completed. However, they are far more peaceful and usually more conducive to building and maintaining relationships.

I enjoyed a slow, relaxing morning with my girls. We took the entire morning to get ready and do our household chores. I spent some time in the Word and did a few computer tasks. We did a little work in our front flower bed just because we felt like it. We ate a simple lunch and ran (only) one errand via bicycle. We rode on a portion of the bike trail that the kids hadn't seen in several months. We noticed the the beginnings of fall color and the similarities between the Spring Creek Trail in Fort Collins and the Scull Creek Trail in Fayetteville.

After that we spent about an hour and a half exploring the CSU Trial Garden. The girls drew in their nature journals, examined flowers, watched bees, called to me, "Mom, come look!" No one was in a hurry. We didn't have to rush, and we didn't even finish looking at all the flowers. We just enjoyed the time that we had.

We rode home, and made a few preparations to host our guests this evening, ladies from our Township (church small group). The girls decided to make place cards for everyone. Amelia took her dolls for a walk in the backyard. I decided to make a salad to go with the pizza we ordered.

We ate dinner with new friends. We learned a bit more about them and enjoyed playing a couple of games together. The girls truly enjoyed their time with these ladies. I am blessed to see them appreciate relationships with people of all ages.

There was a lot of activity in our day, but it was unhurried and simple compared to most that we experience. I was better able to enjoy each event than I am on the days when I am trying to cram in as much as possible.

Not every day can be like today. But I am grateful for this one, every moment of it.

Voluntary Simplicity

We choose simplicity. We do not sell possessions because we are desperate for money. We are not worried about money because God, our Provider, owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is completely able to provide everything we need. A simple(r) life is what we desire, in dependence on God, laying up treasures in heaven. We deliberately discipline ourselves to limit what we buy, consume and own. This world is not our home, and we don't need to accumulate things as if it were.

Are we perfect? Do we live as radically as some? Do we have it all figured out? Absolutely not to all these inquiries. But this is what God has laid on our hearts, and we are growing and learning. How has God called you to steward His gifts to you? How has He led you in regards to earthly possessions?

That's A Lot of Toys

A new friend and her kiddos came over to play this week. I gave her a tour of our home, and upon seeing the playroom, she said, "That's a lot of toys." This new friend doesn't read my blog, at least not yet, but just in case she starts, I want to be clear that she did not offend me. More and more, I appreciate people who [nicely] speak their mind. I'd rather know what you think than wonder.

Her comment has caused some good evaluation on my part. For those of you who know me well, you know that I have been on a simplifying kick this past year. I have given away and sold countless possessions from my closet, my kitchen and my bookshelf. And my kids have probably given away or sold about half of their toys. And still we have a lot.

So, have I failed in my simplifying efforts? I don't think so. First of all, I am still in process as is the rest of our family. We have made a lot of progress this year. And secondly, I can encourage my children to live with less stuff, but I can't force them to do it. I can put systems in place to help them to clean things out, sure, but ultimately, they have to decide for themselves how to manage their stuff. We have a good dialogue going about possessions right now, I think, and I am hoping that we'll all grow as a result. My children often hear, "Well, if you are tired of cleaning it up, you are welcome to give it away." And sometimes they opt to do that.

Amelia finally parted with four toys that she outgrew a while ago. The trick for her was meeting some kids to pass them along to. She's very relational and found joy in giving to new friends.

The bottom line, though, is that something is still bugging me, and I haven't resolved it yet. My new friend is a sincere Christian (as I am), and her surprise at the quantity of our possessions was. . .convicting? Is that what I am feeling?

I know that I don't have to please her, but is God using my sister in Christ to bring to light an issue on which I need to work? Even though I/we have made significant progress in reducing the number of possessions we have, are we called to do more? Are we living in excess?

Let the wrestling begin.