My summer reading has defiantly been unintentionally thematic. Some of them were pretty powerful for me, I firmly believe this is one way God works in my life when I am open to what areas I need to grow and be challenged in.
The first book I knew I wanted to read something on this topic on vacation and sought out, the other two landed in my lap in different ways. This year I've been feeling the pull to simplifying life and trying to un-snare myself and my family from the busy chaos than can over take life and rob us of living a conscious, intentional and purpose focused life. I asked a friend to borrow a book on this topic and was so glad I did. Organized Simplicity was a great by the beach read for me, I took notes and dreamed about the kind of family life I want as well as made some practical plans to simplify our home and lives. In true book club form I will give you my ratings, this one I give a 9 out of 10 and highly recommend it!
Tales of a Female Nomad was the book club pick for last month. I love book club for many reasons but the main one is that I get to discover books I probably wouldn't have selected on my own. I love real books, about real people in real situations. This woman tells of her journeys in living among different cultures. While it wasn't about simplicity necessarily, I was struck by her ability to travel the world with so little possessions, everything in a back pack, living a quality life on a fraction of what most of us live on. I was really interested early on but kind of got bored at the end. I still give this one a 7 out of 10. I was inspired to live more simply, be more hospitable and take chances on those I could know better, reaching outside my comfort zone.
A friend asked me to read Seven along with them, not knowing quite what expect I dove in and I have to say it is a game changer for me. The author takes seven areas of excess and essentially does 30 day fasts in each of the areas and basically keeps a diary of sorts of the insights she has. My main take away, is living excessively may be impacting God's intended purpose for how we use our wealth and our blessings- in this country especially. The idea of what is excessive living was a slap in the face and a good wake up call for me. While I fear my passion about it will wear off over time and I feel a little overwhelmed with all my thoughts on what this means and ways I've been convicted to make change, I feel like I'm taking the first step in a better direction and the only way to keep moving is to fully rely him seeking His guidance. I've embarked on some of my own 7 inspired fasts that are already very powerful. This is a 10 out of 10 for sure.
Sometimes summer reading is light and sometimes its the right kind of hard. This has been a great summer to be challenged and inspired in just the right way.
1 comment:
I'm on the long waiting list at the library for 7. I hear good things from all who read it...I wish I'd read it before this week while I'm purging my house of clutter!
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