Thursday, April 17, 2008

Stuffy-Stuff-Stuff

I was talking to my friend Ellen today, and I told her I would post a link to this other blog I was reading yesterday. I'm not even sure how I found it. But this guy, Nathan, is talking about how he and his wife are in the midst of a consumption fast. I'm not sure how long they're going to fast, but I think it's a great idea. I wonder if we could do it?

I've posted before myself about the way we spend so much time, energy, and money on stuff. A consumption fast--as Nathan describes it, spending money only on bills and groceries--would bring a keen awareness of just how hard we've been bitten by the consumerism bug. I love the way this fast has grown his faith, and brought him closer to God. Just like a fast is meant to do, I know, but still, it's inspiring to read how that's been happening in his life.

As I was thinking about whether or not we should try something like this, I made a mental list of a few things I would need to get first....I need something to wear for an upcoming party. And, I'd kind of like to have some new shoes for spring/summer.....Wha?! Pitiful. As if my closet isn't full of stuff!

Maybe we/I need to do this. A great teaching opportunity for the kids, and obviously me, who has some learnin' to do. How does the idea hit you?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds good to me. I truly NEED nothing. I could probably "fast" from going to the grocery store and live on the food in my pantry and freezer for weeks...

I was interested in that "Blackout Night" in Chicago a few weeks ago - to use no electricity for an evening. But how would I heat up dinner? Shower in the dark? I can't even read in the dark....so I didn't do it.

Kris

--julie said...

Here's some more rationalizing from me...but that hour of turning off the lights was at the same time as the Kids Choice Awards, and there were big ideas in the kids' heads...kind of a 2nd annual (tho the first one wasn't at our house..) KCA party. I thought of tivo-ing it, and letting the kids watch it at the conclusion of that hour, but then they'd have stayed up too late.

Took me a lot of words to make my excuses, there. Evidence of the lameness.

Except that we value those relationships...and we loved how the kids viewed the thing on tv as a time to be with friends.