Minimalist Inspiration...

Over the last little while our family had sort of fallen off the "Minimalist Wagon".  We're not drowning in stuff over here... but there are definitely things around here that are just excess and not serving a purpose.  



To slay this clutter dragon (again... ahem).  I'm making a list of inspirational minimalist blogs to give me motivation.

This 30-day minimalist challenge from Into Mind  looks like it will be very encouraging to participate in. It doesn't just deal with cleaning out closets and dealing with your physical junk... the daily suggestions are mostly about doing things that are good for your peace of mind and I could totally use a little sanity here.

Clutter Free With Kids by Joshua Becker is the book that really motivated me to consider living with less ( and it's less than $6 for the Kindle edition).  I suppose it's only natural that I would continue to me motivated by his Becker's blog Becoming Minimalist.  He has some super practical tips for helping you keep your resolution to declutter.

Oh my word!  Make Room for Greatness has the mother load list of articles about exploring minimalism.  I haven't read all of them... but I plan to dive in once my kiddos are in bed tonight.

What are you doing to regain control of your stuff?  Where are you gleaning your minimalist inspiration?

Carry a Flashlight and Don't Play the Trumpet...

Writing this post is a daunting task... I am not looking for a battle.. battles cause wounds and wounds create bitterness and bitterness fights against love... and I really want to be a spreader of love... maybe that's why these two scripture passages stood out to me.

Matthew 5:14-16
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:2-4
2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

These are red letter verses here people... Jesus said both of these things in the same sermon on the mount!  I have heard each of these two points used against each other in arguments.  So which is it?  Let your light shine so that people can see your good deeds or keep it a secret, private, between only you and God?

I'm not a scholar and I tend to do a lot of interpreting scripture with my gut.  Relying on the Holy Spirit whispers that remind me that the word is living and can be relevant to me in different ways as my life evolves and changes.  The advice I take can be different than my brother or sister.  And the lessons I learn may or may not be a hill to die on.  There are few things I hold tight to with a closed fist...

Here's my humble take on maybe why there are two passages of scripture so close together that express very different methods to love your neighbor.  Your eye.  "The Hebrew language uses 'eye' in many idioms that describe a person's attitude toward others." (Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg)

It seems a little too simple to be the be all that ends all answer to this old debate... and maybe it is.  Keeping in mind though that love seems to be really important to Jesus according to quite a few bible verses,  I'd be willing to guess that He cares about your attitude toward those that we give to.  Do we turn up our noses at the guy shivering on the street corner because he obviously doesn't know how to manage money very well, honestly he is smoking a cigarette, does he even know what those things cost?  Then puff out our chests, find the perfect Instagram filter and post all over Facebook and Twitter that photo we took as we tossed a loonie into his paper cup?  The problem, as I see it, is not posting that photo, it's the intention behind it.  

Social media is powerful, but just like money it is neutral until we determine how we will use the tool before us.  Our status updates and the pics we post can be used to so a lot of good.   They can shine light so inviting that people want to join you.  We can encourage others to add to the light, whether it's by joining us on our next "hand out hot chocolate on the street" night, or just tweaking an attitude closer to grace and love for those in need. 

If you get nothing else out of this...take away this lesson... always carry a flashlight and don't play the trumpet!

Chime in here... What are your thoughts?  

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Inspired Can Be a Lonely Place

You know when you've read or watched something that inspires and makes you want to stretch... reach... love... do wonderful things...

Then you look around and find that being inspired can be a lonely place...

So you try to pull others in along with you... here just watch this YouTube video you cry out on to the pages of Facebook... then you will see what I see... just read this book... this blog post... this great quote.. and you will feel how I feel.

But your plan to recruit fails... Oh yes dear one your intentions are good... you mean well... but not everyone is keen to join the race.

Your experiences and revelations are yours alone... and that can be scary... because the path you travel has bends and hills that you can't see past... sometimes you will have a friend to walk with you a little ways... a partner to collaborate with... there will be cheerleaders along some parts of the route... but other parts there will be nothing other than the sound of you putting one foot in front of the other to spur you on.

Try not to be frustrated with those who are behind you... there is plenty for them to read and watch or hear back there... cheer for them.

Don't worship those who are up ahead... listen and learn... but be prepared that you will part ways at the forks you can't yet see.

Be content that you are growing... enjoy your super marathon... slow down and take it in when you can... run hard when you need to... and when it is hard... look around and find more inspiration.

Note: I'm mostly writing to myself here... but feel free to find helpful bits in my words.