I tweeted this on Monday, "Reading @JenHatmaker makes me feel a little less crazy, yet leaves me wanting to be a little more crazy!"
Right now, I am extremely enthusiastic about some pretty crazy plans. Plans to start a garden - growing all of my own vegetables - pray at least seven times every day, reduce my food and media intake, give away many of my possessions, and spend less. I know I will not do all of these things. But, I do desire to live a more disciplined life. One that involves less stress, less consumerism and more time spent focusing on people and things that mean something, not just in this life, but for eternity, as well.
I have had 7 on my bookshelf for awhile. Honestly, I was avoiding it. I didn't want to feel convicted. I didn't want to want to make radical changes to my life. So, I waited. Until I had nothing else to read. Finally, the local library and my monthly budget conspired against me. None of the books I had requested from the library were available for check-out and I purchased two swimsuits this month, which left me no more spending money for books. A conspiracy, I tell you.
There 7 sat, waiting for me. I was afraid of it. Afraid of what I might do to my heart and afraid that it would cause me to make promises I couldn't keep. But, I couldn't just leave it there, unread.
Essentially, this book is about fasting. It's about making room for God by removing and simplifying. It is not a prescription for life, it is an example of discipline and humanness, daily renewal and success for eternity.
"I approach this project in the spirit of a fast: an intentional reduction, a deliberate abstinence to summon God's movement in my life. A fast creates margin for God to move...A fast is not necessarily something we offer God, but it assists us in offering ourselves." (p.4)
As evidenced by previous posts related to fasting from food and/or drink and from blogging for a period of time, I have a growing love and appreciation for fasting. 7 was the perfect way for me to learn more. To get another woman's perspective. A woman who is also nearly forty, who is married and raising children. A woman who, for 30-days, only wore seven items of clothing. Now, that's discipline. In fact, when I told my 11-year old, she was shocked. "You mean, seven outfits?" she said. Nope, seven items of clothing, which included two pairs of shoes!
What will I do? How will I offer myself more completely to God? I'm not sure yet.
Currently, I have set seven alarms on my phone, so that I may attempt to observe the Seven Sacred Pauses, remembering to pray specifically for the oppressed, for a daily resurrection of my soul, for peace, and in gratitude and praise.
I would also really love to grow my own fruit and vegetables, in a garden. But, seeing that I cannot keep any plant alive, no matter how much I try, I don't know how realistic this is.
The success or failure of any of this is dependent on what God wants for me. I expect that more will be revealed to me as time passes.
