Less is more...

I have spent many years making purchases for my future family as well as for my very own home.

That can add up to alot of stuff - especially when one considers the number of years (20+) and the fact that neither a family nor a home have ever been part of God's future for me.

So, a month ago I enlisted the help of one of my sisters. We began "decluttering", "downsizing" and just plain ol' "chucking". 

So MUCH stuff that I thought I needed... I really didn't/don't.

Can I get into your personal space for a second?

What do you think you need that you really don't? Seriously.
What can you get rid if (either materially or emotionally) that will open up more living space for you? Seriously.

Even if you need someone's help, GET IT. Even if it takes days, DO IT.

Make space for more life.
Less is more.

Lisa


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The good stuff isn't cheap...

I've been trying out some new makeup. Working at covering up some features while highlighting others.

You know what I mean. 

I never really realized, until lately, that there is a makeup scale. Yes, I understood that there is a range of prices where makeup was concerned. However, I thought that was all about brands and brand names.

Not so. Price also represents quality. 

When I go "full out" and wear a more expensive foundation, primer, blush, eyeshadow and liner, lip stick and liner, mascara - I could pass for a 20 year old/young, even though I'm 45. :0)

Just like I did today.

That got me thinking about what else I could cover up...
an abusive relationship
harmful habits
how I truly feel 
the state of my finances
the depth (or lack thereof) of my faith

Do you know what I mean? 
Can you relate?

Have you ever put your "expensive make-up face" on and stepped out of your house looking 20 instead of your real age? Looking rich instead of poor, happy instead of sad or hurt or defeated? Looking super spiritual instead of super phony?

My good make-up costs. It costs a choice between three lipstick colors or one. It costs the choice between do I do this, or purchase that. It costs.
But it's worth it.

Knowing we're rich, being happy instead of sad or hurt or defeated and living a Spirit filled life cost, too. But are all worth it.

Anything worthwhile has a cost attached.

Let me leave you with this: please spend more on your inner person... after all, I'm just going to wash my make-up off before bed, tonight.


Lisa

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"Do Our Roots Need A Little Touch-Up?

In early July I revisited Old Salem, N.C. A community founded in 1776 by the Moravians, a Germanic peoples, whose mission was to teach their religion to the natives. Today the "village" encompasses 100 acres and is nationally acclaimed for it's gardens, museums, stores including Winkler Bakery. The library includes more than 20,000 rare books, periodicals/manuscript from across the early South.

It was a beautiful hot day (I Love the heat), when my daughter and I had decided to step-back in time with two of my southern born grand-babes, and introduce them to some of their American History.

We meandered along the brick sidewalks. Every so often we'd drop into a shop to learn something new about the past lives of these immigrants. All the while the aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies wafted through the streets. Drawing many unsuspecting visitors to the doors of the bakery, Mr. Pied-Piper had nothing on this.

As we were walking along one of the tree lined streets, we quickly noticed the pathway ahead resembled an old-fashioned washboard. The bricks were raised at different angles making the walking quite tricky. It was obvious that the roots from the canopy above had over time grown just beneath the bricks and were the cause of the upheaval, making the passage dangerous.

This encounter made me think about the "roots" in our lives. As Christ-followers are we living in such a way that daily we are growing deeper in our walk with Christ?! Are we receiving nourishment for "strong roots"? Unless our roots are deep in His Word we will never grow in maturity and become resistant to life's challenges ~~~ or become "Fruitful" people.

The closer we commune with Him, not only the firmer our foundation, but also the sweeter our fruit. Galatians 5:22 (Message): "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way the fruit appears in an orchard ~~like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

Deep rooted trees become solid/significant in their location, they breathe oxygen into the atmosphere around them, shelter in a storm for weary passersby, and beauty for the landscape. As believers if our lives have only "surface roots" in our Creator then we are stunted. We find it difficult to cope with the drought and storms that come our way, in this journey of life.

Sadly, many times our feet hit the floor early in the mornings with a list of "Must Accomplish" items revolving within our cranium ~~~ rarely giving a thought to the ONE who is the giver of our very breath. Sometimes we live for months, yes, even years looking the part of a believer. We can appear to have things all together but when the calamities of life arise the deep-rooted strength/wisdom will be waning.

Do green leaves always mean healthy roots? Maybe it's time for a "touch-up"....

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