Many of you may know Cheryl Smith of the blog Homespun Devotions. She is a woman of God who shares from her heart, sometimes stepping out of her own comfort zone to write, from a Christian worldview, about matters that affect our culture. I have followed her blog for years, and find her well-written posts to be thoughtful, as well as oftentimes thought-provoking.
Cheryl has just published her book "Biblical Minimalism", of which I am a happy recipient.
I finished reading the book last night, and I must say the timing could not have been more perfect. As I embark on a new life as a single woman after years of down-sizing and purging unnecessary material things from my life, I can use all the encouragement I can get to stay on course with "the simple life" to which God has called me.
But Cheryl's book goes much further than instructions on how to get rid of stuff. She does give practical advice on how to rid our lives of excess possessions, but the main thrust of the book challenges the reader to go deeper; to examine her life and let go of "everything that hinders us from following [Jesus] wholeheartedly and single-mindedly and relinquishing all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, temporary life." By sharing her family's journey from "abundance to living the abundant life", Cheryl reveals how she came to face that challenge herself. As I turned the pages I found myself nodding in agreement. Yes, yes. I've had that same experience.
In Chapter Fourteen of Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl introduces what she has named the Biblical Minimalism Whole-Person Pie©. This is a fascinating look at the eight facets of an individual's life: Obligational, Spiritual, Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational, Financial and Occupational. Here's where things get really interesting, and really real. For example, I've read a number of books and a plethora of articles on simple living and minimizing, but not one of them touched on issues such as "toxic relationships" and how they are contrary to the abundant life of simplicity. Cheryl deals with this issue with humility and wisdom, and I couldn't help but wish I'd had her book in my hands a decade ago when I was going through my own battle with a toxic relationship.
Cheryl's journey "from abundance to living the abundant life" is my journey in many ways. And I suspect that it is the journey of many others, as well. Anyone who wants to delve into this subject from a biblical perspective will appreciate adding Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl E. Smith to their library. My copy will stay on my night stand where I can refer to it on a regular basis. It's more than just a good read. It's a good reference for living a simply abundant life.
Cheryl has graciously offered a copy of Biblical Minimalism for A Joyful Cottage giveaway. If you would like to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered. I'll be drawing the winning name one week from today, Monday, August 10. Please make sure to provide a way that I can reach you, should you be the blessed winner.
Hugs,
