The Noticer by Andy Andrews is a great reading experience. Jones has the gift of perspective. He notices the things that others don't. With this gift the old man enters the life of people in a small town, who have found themselves in desperate painful places, and shows them a new perspective.
I couldn't put this book down and read it all in one sitting. The lesson Mr. Andrews teaches on perspective is one we would all do well to learn. I definitely suggest this for your reading lists.
|
Okay so we are two weeks into our needs based lifestyle and already we are having issues with needs vs wants. We tell the kids "count your blessings", "starving kids in Africa..." ect. ect. But I think someone needs to tell the adults in our house the same things. Are new pots and pans a need or a want, how about dove chocolate covered almonds (need in my book), new uniforms for work (definatley a want)?
As I was studying Philipians the last week or so one verse just kept jumping out at me (I love it when God talks to me). Bet you can't guess wich one...
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secrect of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Philipians 4:11-12
Surprised? Probably not. But it wasn't the content part that spoke to me. It was the fact that Paul says in verse 11 that he had LEARNED to be content. I have read this verse a thousand times and that was the first time I saw the word learned. I am so relieved to know that contentment is a learned skill. I have been sitting here waiting on God to smite me with a big ol' dose of contentment and He wants me to learn it. Will it be easy? Nope, but I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
So I guess this next year is my families time to learn to be content in all circumstances. Maybe next year too ( some of us around here, namely me, will probably need to be put in the remedial class). Your prayers are always welcome. Also if you have learned any lessons in contentment and would like to pass them on please leave a comment. I read them all.
Since we have moved back to the States and the land of commercials, I have noticed that my precious little Syd's wanter has been stuck in the on position. Of course Steven is no better I told him about a hand held leaf blower that is also a vacuum. He said we need the vacuum attachment for the riding mower. It broke my heart to tell him we didn't have a riding mower. Chase has every gaming system out there not to mention a cell phone and anything else a 13 year old boy could want. Okay I know what you are thinking what about me. Well of course I am the perfect one in this family and only get what is needed. What do I need you ask? EVERYTHING!!!! And because of this need for every new thing that comes on the market I decided to go back to work. I got my real estate license and set out to make beaucoup bucks.
I put my baby in day care. Paid my son to watch her when I had to work in the evenings and on weekends. I was tired and cranky and unplugged from my family. Syd was learning all kinds of wonderful new things at the day care. And Chase was being a surrogate parent because mom was too busy with work. So for all of this how much money was I bringing home...Zip, zilch, nuttin.
Well I am that girl that a gentle nudge from God just doesn't seem to work so he pulled out the big guns. Every sermon at church, every whine from my daughter, and every sad look from my son was telling me I needed to be at home. I ignored it. Thank God for that one friend that will tell you like it is. I called her and was telling her the whole awful story when she said Melissa have you prayed about it. Well know I already know that God's will for me is to stay home and raise my children. To wich she replied if you know you are outside of God's will why are you still there. I love her for just telling me like it is. So I have returned home to be a wife and mother. The only problem is we still want every new thing.
This is where our little social experiment comes in. Steven and I have decided that for the next 6 months we will only spend money on necessities. We all define our own necessities so please no snide remarks. We will not be eating out, since we couldn't cancel our cable or cell phones ( under 2 year contracts) we have set them to the cheapest plans, no more just running to the store for a candy bar, pop, movie, ect. TV is set to 1 hour a week each, Chase and Steven will take their lunches, np more shopping for entertainment and the biggey.....cigarettes are not a necessity. We hope that this experiment will show us how much God truly does provide for us, bring our family closer together, and bring us closer to God. I can't wait to see how this all plays out.
|
