40 Days 40 Gifts Day 31

Day two of the grand ten day quest to push the boundaries on simplicity and giving:

The second outward expression is to reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. This might include food items, substances that are more commonly associated with addiction such as drugs and alcohol, as well as THINGS. The reality is we are all addicted to something. I had a long think about this one. What am I addicted to?

I’m not a marketers’ dream when it comes to gadgets, nor with make up and other cosmetics. As much as I love a glass of wine, I wouldn’t say I’m addicted (if anyone disagrees please inform me). So what am I addicted to? There’s the clothes issue but I’ve been dealing with that under the first outward expression so I won’t bore you with more on that.

Isn’t it funny how God points you in the right direction when you are struggling with something? As I was doing some soul searching I was having a conversation with two colleagues. One mentioned how she had to clear out her bookshelf and give away some of her books. I was horrified! Give away books? I have a budget line item in my monthly budget for books. And I carefully select which book I will buy each month. I hate the idea of a library because it means I can’t keep the book after I’ve read it. I am incredibly attached to my books, which are neatly sorted out on my bookshelf into categories – spiritual books (sadly the smallest shelf), African literature, literature from the developing world, classics and miscellaneous.

So my addiction is... books!

So I guess my challenge is to give away some of my books. I have little problem parting with the ones that are on the miscellaneous shelves. But the other shelves? I can’t see myself being able to do this. It would break my heart. And yet that is what it means to be pushing the boundaries. So this evening I will be going through my bookshelf, doing the easy bit and placing all of the miscellaneous ones into a box and the trying to push myself to part with some of my more treasured books. I still have to think of who to give them to though. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

Lesson 31: Anything that produces an addiction in us to some extent limits our connection with God.