It’s Friday, which means I join forces with a troop of
fearless writers who fly with abandon for five minutes across keyboards to
spill their hearts onto the page. We
receive our word, maybe ponder, set our timers, and GO! We link up with the ever-lovely Lisa-Jo Baker
and seek out each other. We most definitely
visit the one who linked up just before and leave some comment love, then
journey here and there finding hidden treasures behind each face. Join us, encourage, and be encouraged.
Five minutes on: BARE
What is really needed in this life? According to Jesus, “only
one thing is needed”. Yet we have become
so accustomed to excess that we no longer understand what is actually required
to survive, even to thrive.
My little guy is the perfect reflection of this
dilemma. He has more toys than he can
play with, more socks than he can wear and more food than he actually wants to
eat. Yet everyday there is a new bauble
that catches his eye and he wants it. Needs
it. NOW!
I’m like that. I’ve
gotten spoiled and I know it. I justify
it for the sake of quality and occasion – or resell value!
What craziness has taken over our lives? We’ve traded the Bread of Life and Living Water
for cinnamon crunch bagels and Keurig machines.
I’m not sure how we stop it. I’m
not sure we need to entirely, but I do think I need to reset my lenses and expectations
to have a truer understanding of the bare essentials because somehow they have
gotten lost under all my clutter.
Do
you, like me, feel you’ve lost sight of the essentials? Have you begun to
refocus?
Disclosure:
this photo was taken during a home search
I too have recently begun to feel that I had lost sight of the essentials of life. As a preachers wife that can be bad....so I have begun 2013 with a plan to refocus. I loved your post and have popped in from Five Minute Friday.
ReplyDeletePWs are real people, too. I actually colead an (in)Courage group just for ministry wives. There can be so much extra pressure there to have it all together spiritually - with a totally open home at all times. So glad you stopped in today. I hope you find focus and direction with a heaping helping of chocolate covered peace.
DeleteGo Amy! Speaking right to me. And providing encouragement as I pare down my stuff. Thank you , friend. For being real. And open. And showing love.
ReplyDeleteThanks. We know we aren't alone in this when we all feel like the one being spoken to! So glad you came by.
DeleteOH Amy!! I do feel that way and yes I need to often stop and refocus!! I am refocusing right now, you are not alone friend. Love this post!!
ReplyDeleteNow, if I can just figure out how to get on the right path. Maybe we can just nudge each other gently to keep on track. Thank you for your constant encouragement.
DeleteAbsolutely LOVE this! Right there with you friend. In a place of refocus now. Thanks for sharing your heart! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Wendy. So glad to know I'm not the only one. Blessings to you too sweet friend.
DeleteThank you for this reminder. I need to refocus my attention on Him, and not on all the stuff that lays in front of me. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I preach to myself here in this pulpit. :)
DeleteSo much truth written here - we are a spoiled people. There is no doubt about that... I started decluttering but I need to do so much more. Bless you girl for a great reminder :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have fairy wings, but I do love purple. I need this reminder for myself daily.
DeleteHave you been talking to my husband, girl? Cuz we just had this conversation! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember...did you read Jen H's book "7"? that wrecked me to my core. and made me feel that even though I'm not by Amerca's Standards, I have tendencies to hoard "treasures". ugh. can't believe I just told you that.
So we're making strides! One day at a time! and it is far more freeing than I imagined! {HUGS}
Oh, My, 7!!! Yes! I'm such a wannabe granola, simplifying, real foodie that loves(eek)design and comfort and it all just makes me a little ill at times. Freedom is what we were made free for in the first place and I just don't want to miss it with all the stuff that clouds my vision.
DeleteThe answer is no, I haven't been chatting with your husband, but would still like to get that done with you one day soon. :)
Preach it sista! We've got so much stuff we can't remember what bare looks like or feels like. Ah, the joys of living in America. But I'm grateful for what I have and more than willing to part with the junk. Thanks for sharing!!! You ROCK!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I constantly struggle with this, but God is so faithful, isn't He? I love the comparison of the Bread of Life and Living Water to Cinnamon Crunch bagels and Keurigs! It has been so freeing this year to pray that God would help me to hunger and thirst for Him. Those prayers have been changing my perspective- although slowly!- and I am so thankful!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, my friend!!!
I feel ya. It seems I am in a constant state of purging around here. I have scaled back the kids things as well as my own drastically and still we have a full house of stuff. It just takes up so much space and room and not just in my house but in my time and energy to take care of it all or organize it or keep it all clean. I think it may be time for another round of tossing stuff very soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is the second post I`ve read on the Bare Essentials... I think God must be telling me something... thank you friend. I love your phrase about resetting the lens.
ReplyDelete