Life Is Good

September 18, 2006

Except when you have typed a succinct yet eloquent blog only to press one button, mistakenly, and lose it all - arhhh!! So, since I'm trying to simplify my life I will not rehash all that I wrote. Instead I will say this. We feel like we are sitting on the edge of our seats and full of anticipation for all the good stuff about to happen this season. God's been working in our hearts and we are very excited about where we are going. Some great books that have been inspiring us to lead a more examined life: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard The Holy Way by Paula Huston

These books have inspired us and are a source of ideas for a couple new adventures in our life:

A Family Retreat. Earlier this month we decided to take a family retreat. It is coming up shortly and the purpose is different from just a vacation or camping trip. We want to be intentional about where we are going as family, what our values are, what we feel God's purpose is for us. So we are setting aside time and leaving our regular routine to dream, plan, pray, reflect & have fun together. That's coming up soon and both Damien and I are super pumped about this time together with our kids.
A study/small group to discuss simplicity. For some time now a desire has been brewing in our hearts and minds to meet with other Christians and get serious about pursuing the spiritual disciplines (ouch I'm almost scared to say it!), starting with simplicity. We are starting a study through our church the beginning of October and we are going to focus on Christmas since we feel this provides a focal point for what is a big and somewhat ambigious topic. I'm reading The Holy Way in preparation for this and also Hundred Dollar Holiday by Bill McKibben. We still need to read The Celebration of Discipline but that probably won't happen this season. Leading this study (more like exploring the topic with others - we don't have this all figured out) is another thing we are very excited about

All this reading about simplicity, discipline, vision etc.. has stirred in me a desire to seek more solitude in my daily life. I've always loved being home, not always on the run. But now I'm craving more than that. I want more quiet time for reflection and prayer. Time to contemplate. I'm coming to realize that my desire for simplicity and serenity isn't just about a clutter free home and more time & resources to spend on meaningful endeavors. My desire for simplicity is actually a desire for a deeper spiritual connection, a desire for the Divine, a desire for God. "Be still and know that I am God". Feel like I could sit here right now and dwell on that thought for hours.... Unfortunately I still haven't developed the discipline of getting up early to seek that time out. Humm, lots of room for growth!

Comments
Subscribe to Comments

Amanda on Sept. 21, 2006, 1:50 a.m.

Renee,

Thank you for sharing about what your doing to simplify your life. I don't know if you remember our conversation on the phone last week, but I just want to say you have had me thinking more deeply about life/simplifying and what purposes God has for us in this world. I am going to check out those books you guys are going to be reading the next time I am in Blessings. Keep us posted about the journey your family is on.

Amanda

reply
- renee on Sept. 21, 2006, 12:43 p.m.
  
  Amanda,
  
  I've come across a few other books that I'd like to read but I haven't yet. You might also want to check them out:
  
  Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective
  
  How Much is Enough
  
  Living More With Less
  
  There are so many out there that I want to read. Also so many great web resources.
  
  Just as a note, you won't find Let My People Go Surfing at a Christian bookstore as it isn't written from a Christian perspective. Also, Hundred Dollar Holiday is a very easy read I highly recommend it.
  
  reply

Rachel Himes on Sept. 24, 2012, 12:55 p.m.

I absolutely LOVE Celebration of Discipline. We purchased the audio used from Amazon and listened to it in the car. Simplifying is hard. It is heart work. My heart always desires MORE, but to keep my life, affections and time free for HIS purposes, I cannot become tangled up in excesses. Such a fine line.

reply