Here we begin month 2 in the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker. You ready?
I have to be excited because page 48 had my immature sense of humor thrilled. I read it over and over and never did it become one drop less funny. When I read it outloud, the listener doesn't laugh which is clearly evidence you had to have been there - or in this case. In the book.
But I want you to try 2 things before you start reading:
1. Pray for what God wants you to learn
2. read Mark 6:21-30
Ok 3 things..
3. I want you to go in your closet and count how many pairs of shoes, shirts, pants and purses you own. Take the inventory and let me know what you think about this- please :).
I'm so anxious to hear from you. Are you attempting 7 items of clothing for a week? There are other ways to try this. For instance, take a plastic grocery bag and fill it up. That's what you wear for a week.
Whatever you do, stay on focus. This isn't about cleaning out and simplifying nearly as much as it is to relate to those so much less fortunate. Let's try to avoid ever again comparing our value against someone who has more which only suggests we don't have enough. We have enough sister. We have enough to share :)
I also loved that page, and read the middle part of page 50 aloud to my husband also, thinking it was so hilarious because I know I embarrass my 5 year old already at times. I can only imagine as they all grow! They'll keep me humbled for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying God will cleanse my eyes, which tend to judge at times when I am least expecting it, and it horrifies me when I realize it! I want to see people for who they are. No categorizing them or pre-judging what kind of person they must be - dressed the way that they are. It just doesn't matter! Please, God, let me see every single human being out there the way that YOU do. As your creation. As someone that You love more than I can even understand. There are so many out there who are hurting, lonely, sad, hungry, cold. Who cares what they have on their bodies?!!! They need friends. People who are being the hands and feet of Christ for them. To me, that is what this chapter is all about!
I grew up with very little money. All of my clothes were handed down, and I was awkwardly skinny with zero shape! So I was one who always felt like I was "less" compared to others in school. But I can tell you that it wasn't until l got older and was blessed with a little more to buy my own clothes and not feel so lanky, that I never remember judging another for how they looked. Something about living in that simplicity and humbling upbringing made me realize how I felt, and if I noticed someone else who had very little or dressed strange or was obviously embarrassed, the only thing I felt toward them was sorrow and wanting to be their friend or give them a compliment. I am so sad to say that as I grew and my financial situation improved, I lost some of that empathy along the way. And at times I have caught myself putting someone in a category because of how they dressed - not necessarily the shabby. Sometimes the elite. Why did my heart change? When did clothing and appearance become something that distracted me?Maybe this is a reason God says, "Blessed are the poor." Please forgive me for this, God!
I love this clothing chapter. I pray it will give us all an x-ray vision, straight past the clothing and into the hearts!
Happy Shabby Week to all of you! Prayerfully, we will all feel more beautiful than ever in our simplicity! :)
Just counted the clothes in my closet! I think I do a pretty good job keeping things "thinned out", but feel embarrassed looking at the numbers on the page . . . I definitely have a huge issue with retail therapy!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you wanted us to read Mark 6:21-30? You're not gonna ask for someone's head on a platter or anything are you?!? Cause that's just . . . wrong. creepy. not the kind of wrecked we're going for here!!! :)
Yikes! S/b Matthew 😬
DeleteI meant Matthew- not Mark Chapter 6
ReplyDeleteOOOO EMMMM. GEEEEE
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:21, 24
I’m in the kitchen talking to a couple co-workers about needs of homeless and orphans. This guy, he’s about 60 and just started working here about 3 months ago tells me he goes to Woodsedge and we talk about Jeff a little and what not.
ReplyDeleteHe proceeds to tell me how his son was helping with the homeless ministry at Woodsedge and met this lady who needed help.
He has taken this 34 year old homeless lady into his house. She has a son who comes to visit her every now and then.
She has ovarian cancer. It was diagnosed a few months ago and his wife takes her to chemo treatments, doctor visits and whatever she needs. She has Medicare. Had this cancer earlier but was in remission and just came back since living with him. It is bad and has spread to her intestines.
He went on to explain how it has been extremely stressful knowing she may die but that she accepted Christ when she moved into his home and that he is overwhelmed knowing she will go to heaven no matter what happens.
Think about that...your 60 something yrs old, your child brings you a homeless woman to live with you, you have never fostered or been a missionary, you find out she has cancer, she is probably terminally ill and God entrusted you to save her soul...and you didn't even know it.