Things I learned about myself while becoming a minimalist:
Expensive furniture is not important but comfortable furniture is.
Fancy clothes are not important but, again, comfortable is.
Having lots of money is not important but having enough to support causes in which I believe is.
By not buying expensive furniture or clothes I have enough money left to support causes.
All that makes me happy.
TTYL
Linda
I was enrolled in a Methodist church while still an infant. We went every Sunday even when traveling on vacation. Mostly to earn attendance pins. We learned Bible verses. Mostly to win prizes. We sang songs about Uncle Noah and someone’s memory of a childhood church.
But we didn’t lean how to be true followers of Jesus. Church was the center of our social activities not religious ones.
I recently read a book classified as humor about a 33-year old man living in a old folks home because he paid a year in advance for his grandfather to live there but grandpa died before moving in and the facility would not refund the pre-payment. Since the hero shared his name with his grandfather, he claimed the money was for him and he moved in.
What does that have to do with being a Christian? That man taught me what it means to actually be a follower of Jesus, the Christ.
Did Jesus ask us to build a huge structure in which to worship Him? No. He asked us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, refrain from judging others, and love one another.
We could do that. We could work at a soup kitchen or a food pantry. We could donate good clothes–not just the ones too worn or stained for us to be willing to wear them. We could volunteer at a hospital or nursing home. We could stop blaming others for their, or our, actions. We could welcome people not just like us into our lives.
In thinking about Bible stories I learned as a child, I’m beginning to make sense of them. The woman at the well was surprised that Jesus accepted a drink from her because she was used to being judged as not worthy. Jesus defended the adulteress from stoning then told her to stop sinning. Turning water into wine was not about the wine, it was about celebrating love.
I don’t remember there being stories about sheltering others but, I suspect, Jesus would be happy for you to work with Habitat for Humanity or the Homes on Wheels Alliance
I wonder how many other ways we can help people see us as followers of Jesus?
TTYL,
Linda
All gone. And I am recovering well. It was only a Class 1a so no chemo/radiation required.
No the robot did not go wandering inside my body–just its arms did.
TTYL,
Linda
My half-asleep mind wrote a children’s book this morning.
ROAR
Is it a panther?
I don’t know.
But, I don’t think so.
ROAR
Is it a tiger?
I don’t know.
But, I don’t think so.
ROAR
Is it a lion?
I don’t know.
But, I don’t think so.
ROAR
Is it a bear?
I don’t know.
But, I don’t think so.
ROAR
Is it my brother?
I think so.
He really does like to roar.
TTYL,
Linda
Next week I expect to feel like a six year old. One whose front tooth has fallen out but the permanent tooth has not yet grown in.
I have a cavity so large they can’t fill it so they are going to pull that tooth and start the process of replacing it with an implant.
It’s my own fault. I got on a natural products kick so stopped using toothpaste with fluoride. Oops!
So, I will be toothless for several months.
I’m so glad I wear a mask whenever I am in public now.
Who knew it was possible to be grateful for a pandemic?
TTYL,
Linda
