As I begin the new year of 2010, I’m thinking about simplifying my life.
Basically I mean owning less stuff. The time I spend in maintaining cars, fixing things around the house, and keeping up the yard makes me wonder who really owns what? It wasn’t always like this in my life. I used to want to “own more.” But no more.
I’m also watching and learning from the finches and grossbeaks on our deck flutter as they enjoy our bird feeders this morning. And I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 6,
25 ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,* or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?*
34 ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’”
As Mary and I consider this next step of living our lives in an empty nest, all I know is that I want our nest to be smaller, simpler, less cluttered.
How about you? Do your things own you? Or do you own them?
I’m ready to simplify my life so that I can fly.
Want to join me?
I was challenged back in my seminary days by Foster’s book, Freedom of Simplicity. The practice of living with intention and not letting our lives get cluttered with wanting “stuff.” I tell you it’s hard in this culture especially when raising teenagers.
Your reflection also reminded of something amusing I read by Wendell Berry.
“Don’t own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.”
— Wendell Berry (Farming: a hand book)