Comments on: Theology of Enough

By: I Can’t Get Off the Merry-Go-Round! (Can I?)

I Can’t Get Off the Merry-Go-Round! (Can I?) — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:35:30 +0000

[...] Theology of Enough How to Live with Just 100 Things share: Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend [...]

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:26:17 +0000

Its ok to say I want if we are authentic in the wanting.. we know why we want , what we want. Is the focus on stuff or the focus on what’s underneath the want. In my opinion that makes the difference. I also agree, we never get to want at the exspense of others.

By: RoughAcres

RoughAcres — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:09:20 +0000

It seems to me that saying “I want” is OK if it moves us forward… but not if it means moving other people backward.

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:23:49 +0000

I absolutely agree that when the focus is on stuff that our focus is removed from those things that really make life worth living. Its ok to desire, but I would like for us to think about what do we desire and why do we desire it. In looking at these questions I think we are actually looking at our autonomy and self-expression. In asking the questions I get to see how different I am ( or how alike) from my firends, or family. I help to better articulate my priorities.

I am so glad you liked it!

By: Tara Gentile

Tara Gentile — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:03:44 +0000

You had me at “theology!”

I agree with everything in this post – love it. However, I’d like to add that, in confusing wants with needs, we often ignore the more difficult things that we need:
- autonomy
- self-expression
- meaningful relationships, etc…

We tend to think of those things as selfish and then fill the hole with $10 jeans, just as you said. But when we talk about the problems with consumerism, I think we can also affect people so much that they think of anything they desire as a problem.

Is there such thing as enough autonomy or self-expression? Maybe… but most people don’t feel free enough or strong enough to acquire a small amount.

I can feel the tide changing on this, of course, but I think it always deserves another underline.

Great post, Desiree!

By: Bungi

Bungi — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:47:13 +0000

Came across this in my inbox today from the Henri Nouwen Society:

Downward Mobility

The society in which we live suggests in countless ways that the way to go is up. Making it to the top, entering the limelight, breaking the record – that’s what draws attention, gets us on the front page of the newspaper, and offers us the rewards of money and fame.

The way of Jesus is radically different. It is the way not of upward mobility but of downward mobility. It is going to the bottom, staying behind the sets, and choosing the last place! Why is the way of Jesus worth choosing? Because it is the way to the Kingdom, the way Jesus took, and the way that brings everlasting life.

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:18:10 +0000

Hi Anna,
I think only you can draw the line and find the balance needed for you and your family. I think for me on eof the important milestones was when I decided to become more AWARE of how my needs affected others. When I decided to stop and ask myself a few questions that made me meditate on wants and needs then it all became a little easier.

I appreciate your reading my post and I hope you found it useful as you move along your path!

Blessings,

Desiree

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:21:51 +0000

Thank you for this post. I am struggling with this whole thing myself. I no longer feel the need to have the house we are living in, and God has provided another house, that is 1800 sq ft less than this one. We must remodel it a bit, because of mold and water damage, before we move in, but even that is hard to figure out how much is enough. Do we buy and install a new bath tub, even though this one would work alright, although it is a bit old and icky? When do we stop with the remodels? All the doorhandles in the place don’t match… is that a problem for me? I’m not sure. I don’t think so. Matching door handles won’t make me happy. But would a new bathtub? Or is providing a new tub for my kids to bathe them in, being loving to them? Sometimes I think we justify our actual needs. Luckily, I now know that buying one more thing doesn’t fill the hole, belief in Jesus Christ does, He saved me from all this. Now, just to separate needs from wants….

By: Simple Living News Update

Simple Living News Update — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:04:11 +0000

[...] Theology of Enough [...]

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:59:06 +0000

I absolutely agree…downward mobility by choice lets start a revolution!