I love the United States, but one of the things I have come to notice through spending time in other countries is we are obsessed with extra-large everything. Nothing is exempt from our obsession, from sodas to cars to the homes we live in, we are hypnotized by truth we hear seemly all around us Bigger is always better. But is it really?
Growing up both my parents worked very hard but we never had big cars or big houses and never took big vacations. And you know what me and my siblings turned out just fine. Actually as I look back over my childhood you know what I remember with fondness? The times when we had to share space and time because both were limited.
Somewhere along the line parents have been sold a lie that for their kids childhood to be “good” it has to be pain-free, gadget-filled and responsibility light. At what point do we say enough is enough? At what point do we stop and say why am I working overtime or having a second job? Are we trying to purchase a happy existence for our kids that often times lacks meaning?
When I look back over my childhood you know what I remember? Not how many times I went to Disney World. I remember long summer days walking around my Grandpa farm, I remember loading 12 friends in a Ford Escort to go get a burger, I remember my first apartment that was so small we had three pieces of furniture that no matter how we arranged them they still touched each other. I remember living in an apartment with 5 adults and 1 dog that had 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.
Often times the very things we look at as trying when we are in it become “the good ole days” as soon as we leave it. Small and cramped forces us to have real relationships and resolve real problems, you can’t go to your own room and listen to music on your iPhone. Not having much forces you to depend on God and rely on others. Love how the book of Deuteronomy puts it, because God knows something about us. We forget.
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
“Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build,11and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, 12then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.…
This is good stuff Sam. I grew up in a “cozy” house and I realize how much it shaped me. I think I’m the better for it.
Starr thanks. I agree. It very easy for us as parents and leaders to remove from our kids and those we lead the very obstacles and trials the help to shape our dependance and trust on God. Cozy is more of a blessing than we give it credit.
Well said Bro. i agree 100%! i always our kiddos they need to share. When they ask why i tell them about when i was a kid. “i shared everything with my brother/sister and it was so good for us…sharing kept us grateful.” Less is truly more.
Thanks Sis. Totally agree sharing does help you maintain a grateful heart.
I grew up in a very modest household. Nothing we did was big. I took my family to a model house for fun this morning. I thought it was funny that of all the show houses we went to, it was the house with with the smallest spaces that I liked the most. Thanks for the reminder to be content and grateful Sam!
so true Joe. We think more is always better sometimes it is but I have found that often it isn’t.