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Here is my new favorite book:

(at least for right now...)

This book is so darn good! It was life changing for me (sort of).  I am so inspired by it (most of the time).  I hope to change the way I live my life because of this book (until I lose my motivation).  But seriously, this book was just what I needed (and continue to need).  If you read my last post, you know I am feeling like life is crazy and days are hectic.  This book was written for people like me who need the book version of a slap in the face to "wake up!"  

Jen Hatmaker decided that her life was a bit "too much."  Too much food, waste, spending, and of course, too much stress.  She felt "trapped in the machine of excess."  She decided to take seven months of her life (and that of her family) and make some serious changes.  What followed was amazing. Every month, Jen focused on one change.   Jen would only "eat seven foods, wear seven articles of clothing, and spend money in seven places (sounds easier than it is!)".  She eliminated the use of seven media types, gave away seven things each day for one month, adopted seven green habits, and observed seven sacred pauses throughout each day.

Jen Hatmaker is an awesome writer (at least in this book she is...to be honest, this is the only book I've ever read of hers...I'll be reading her others soon!). Her book reads like her diary for the seven months that she was conducting this "experiment."  She is so stinkin funny!

Here is an example of her writing on DAY 1 of her seven foods month...she gave up coffee...

"Dear coffee:  I miss you already.  We're just on a break.  Don't worry.  They say if you love something, set it free; and if it comes back to you, then it was truly addicted to you in the first place.  Hold onto that.  Mark it down: Jen/Java reunion in thirty days.  Be strong."

On a more serious note, the book explores the real problem with having so much excess.  We are all trapped to some degree.  The bottom line of this book is, "Would Jesus overindulge on garbage food while climbing out of a debt hole from buying things He couldn't afford to keep up with neighbors He couldn't impress?"  "...consider what Jesus' version of rich, blessed, and generous might look like in your life."

Well said Jen.

This weekend I plan to re-read parts of the book again in an effort to embed it's main message in my weak brain.  Please let me know if you have read this book (or any of Jen Hatmaker's other books).  

It would be awesome to hear your thoughts!

P.S.  One of my little goals for 2012 is to not buy myself ANY clothes...It is February 24th and I am still going strong...still trying to figure out if adoption fundraiser t-shirts count...and scarves... clearly they are accessories and NOT clothes, right?