Simple Living and a Chinese Restaurant?

February 9, 2014April 20, 2017

The other day I was eating at a Chinese restaurant. I realized I hadn’t been to one in over a year. Not that I don’t like Chinese – we just don’t eat out very often. Some friends invited us to join them for dinner and the company, more than anything, was what we looked forward to. We accepted the invitation, had a lovely meal together, and finished our time together by eating our fortune cookies.

I personally don’t believe in “fortune,” but in my sovereign God and His perfect plan for my life. With that said, I always open my fortune cookie and read what the good ole “proverb” has to say.

This time, it took me aback. This time, I let it sink in a little deeper. This time, I found myself sharing it with my husband, as we both looked at each other and said “huh”.

It said:

If you don’t enjoy what you have, how could you be happier with more?

This can almost be a summary of my desire to live with less and where it begins: in a heart of contentment. There is so much truth in this statement because really, if there is no contentment, where can there be joy?

Are you content with what you have?
Do you buy and buy, to hopefully find happiness?
Do you enjoy what you have?
What makes us think that we WILL be happier with more?

We think that if we buy “this” item, then we will be content. If we look “this” certain way, that we will be happy. If we just have what “this” person has, then we will be content.

What will it take? We all have PLENTY! We all have MORE than enough. Letting consumerism control us can be dangerous. Letting culture decide where happiness can be found is dangerous. To live a simple life, there is no room for constant acquiring and accumulation of STUFF.

Deep down, will you be happier with more? Probably not.
Enjoy what you have and continue in trying to live a life of contentment!

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