to be poor*
live on a gravel road
use very little or extremely efficient electricity/energy
self-sustain
travel twice a year
eat healthfully
walk every day
make music every day
read (meditatively) every day
It's a list of Grand Schemes I made because I was tired of Endless Plans. Rather than a meter or a checklist, these disciplines are like a mission statement or a code to live by. I've "accomplished" all of them in limited ways, but my hope is to cultivate these and reduce all else. I should clarify that I desire to do these things in the context of relationship, not inwardly or for myself; but for God and my fellow beings, invitationally. Devotedly.
At bookclub last night we discussed the great value of allowing others to see our brokenness. Several women shared painful personal stories, but redemption flowed from them so beautifully and poignantly we were all changed by God's mercy. What I mean is that I don't want to paint a pretty picture. I want to let Him use my weakness and failure, my foolishness and my hurt, and I'm certain He will, and I won't like it.
*A note on the word poor:
I mean this more in the sense of blessed are the poor in spirit than having less money than the average citizen. Though I have an aversion to material excess, the definition of excess is murky. Case in point: the picture below was taken with my first ever non-hand-me-down camera.
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| click to enlarge ...er, super-size? |
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