Minimalist

I have been reading a 14 day devotional about becoming a minimalist.  It is an interesting read and to be honest, it is not so much about being a minimalist as removing distractions in your life that keep you away from God.  The author seems to be hung up why people by things and for the most part I agree with his assessment except that there is at least one possibility that he left out and that deals with me.

I like to acquire knowledge about anything and everything.  There are things I do not like to do and will never by anything related to those.  However, I buy items that help me with achieving my goal of becoming proficient in the task at hand.  For example, I like woodworking and therefore will buy items that are related to that hobby.

I have many hobbies and if you ask my wife, it is probably way too many.  I like to:

• Sew
• Automotive work
• Construction type work
• Leather work
• Woodwork
• Metalwork and Blacksmithing
• Build and shoot guns
• Reload
• Farm
• Cook
• Build computers
• Make wine, spirits, and beer
• Play guitar
• Draw and paint
• Lift weights and other forms of exercise
• Make gaming items
• Play role playing games
• Play card games
• Make my life easier with regards to taking care of the property
• Design new things

I do not buy items to keep up with the Jones or anyone else.  I do not buy items because I am jealous of another person.

I hate clutter and disorganization although by our house you would never know that.  I am currently in the process of building my woodworking shop and once that it is done, then the house will start to be organized a bit better, I hope.

Although I like to do all those things above and more, we are trying to get rid of all those items that we never use.  We were making great progress, but we have seemed to stall a bit.

Our bedroom is cluttered with stuff and I do not see the reason to keep half of what is in there, but it is not just me.  I really want to go through all the clothes, closet items, drawer items, and stuff under the bed and just clean it out. The garage looks like an episode from hoarders and that is the next project to tackle.  The office has way too many desks and shelves, but it also contains all my guns, ammo, and other gun stuff.  We have way too many pots and pans and other kitchen items, but that is my fault. I am a gadget man and have bought like 4 blenders and 3 or 4 Nutribullet type machines.  I would like to get rid of a lot of it, but not sure really how,  The dining room and living room have way too many items, but again that is my fault.  I was planning on starting a business selling collectible trading card games such as MtG and that just never came about as I enjoyed playing more than selling.  What we do get rid of, we give to Goodwill and over the past three or four years, we have given about $15,000 to $20,000 worth of stuff away and we still have plenty to give.

Matthew 6:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Hebrews 13:5 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

I pray that we can make progress to get rid of what we really do not need/use.