You know how you can write a word and it doesn't look right? Is that spelled right? What's wrong with it? That's the way the concept of time is for me lately...

Is time passing as fast as it seems it is? It can't be almost the end of summer, can it? What's wrong with this picture?

Two of my kids are grown. I have a grandbaby. My last daughgter is 11 going on 22. My life is constantly filled with activity, which makes life seem to move so much faster. It's funny, too, because I'm a 'stay-at-home' Mom who wants to 'stay at home' a lot more. For instance, I've been avoiding the grocery store like a plague. I HATE buying groceries. It's not that I don't want to get what I want or need, but it's... "Honey, can you bring that on your way home?" It's not good, I know. I need to do what it takes to keep the pantry stocked with what we need... but alas... I digress.

My dear friend, Cheryl, shared something with me today. The Texas Rangers are apparently up 7 games and that's an incredible, new thing. They are playing great and she's had a great time watching the games with her dad. The coach or owner, someone, when interviewed said, "It's time." That stuck with me. ... I don't want to waste my time doing the same 'ol, same 'ol. I want to be doing things that mean something to me, to my family... especially to the Lord, what's pleasing to Him. It's time... to create, to make beautiful things that make me and those I love happy. It's time... to reach out... not to waste time with 'organizations', but to touch individuals. It's time... to get off the bandwagon! I want to walk away from consumerism, commercialism, propaganda-filled time wasters (ie, tv commercials)

Does that mean I'm on some new trek toward world peace or going back to school to become a social servant? Hardly... I know I am fitted for the 'job' I currently have... my ministry and calling in life... seeking and serving God, loving and taking care of my family and home, being the right kind of friend and hearing God when he wants me to do anything beyond this scope. I want to make what I do count and not waste time on what doesn't. I know, I know... the laundry will still need done, the dogs will still need bathed, I'll have to go to that blessed grocery store when I need to... but I want to stop saying yes to things that aren't needed. I want to learn to jump off the bandwagon.

Lord, turn my eyes away from worthless things.

Psalm 119
³³ Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
³⁵ Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
³⁶ Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
³⁷ Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
³⁸ Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
³⁹ Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
⁴⁰ I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

Could I pare down to 100 things?

I found this on a blog called "Creating Peace". I wanted to share it.... Now... will I do it? It's on my list... I've been irritated by 'consumerism' lately and tired of being a pawn in the game. I'm an easy pawn in it, too. Aggravating! I'm letting it marinate in my spirit and I'm really praying the Lord will help me really learn to live simply. Of course... 'fabric' is one category and Sewing machines is one and craft supplies is one...LOL
Linda

100 Thing Challenge

Some of you have already read about this 100 Thing Challenge. If you haven’t, it was created by a man named David Michael Bruno. He has written books on Consumerism and has a blog at http://guynameddave.typepad.com/david_michael_bruno/. He will also be writing a book about his experience with the 100 Thing Challenge.

Basically, the 100 Thing Challenge is a challenge that Mr. Bruno proposed to pare down your personal items to only 100 things. He gave his challenge a time period of one year. It started last November and ends this November. If you go to his blog and his post about this challenge http://www.guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge.html, you can see the list of things he has now, and all of the things he gave away.

This challenge only applies to your personal items. Items that only you use. So, it doesn’t include furniture in the house, or garden tools, etc. Anything that the whole family uses does not count. Underwear and socks, can be counted as one category each…you don’t want to have to count out each pair because obviously we don’t want to have to get down to minimal undergarments. Also, books are counted as one category as well: library.

I have begun my own 100 Thing Challenge, but I’m not there yet. I think I may give myself a deadline of January 1, 2010. I will try to pare down all of my personal items to 100 things by January 2010 and try to keep it that way for one year. I’m getting there, I’ve cleaned out my closet a ton. I almost have it down to only those things I wear, love and feel good in.

I really find this type of stuff interesting. It really makes you realize how much “stuff” is out there and how so many stores are packed with things we don’t need.

Now... what do I really need... of my own stuff...what do I really need? ... answer... a whole lot less than I have. I was reading another post that says we could eliminate things to "personal" and "functional" for decorating. That would be a good place to start... it's do-able... one bite of that elephant.