I know in a previous post about a book review I mentioned that there are a few blogs that I come across that really seem to stir my soul and challenge my way of thinking. As I said before Katie's blog is one of those. Another one that I have came across a few years back is Jen Hatmaker. I first came across her blog a few years ago when she was in the middle of a social experiment. I only caught bits and pieces of it at the time, but her book, 7, is her personal journey through her experiment.
The complete title of the book is 7: an experimental mutiny against excess. In her experiment she takes seven months and fasts from something different each month. Month 1: Clothes. She choose seven items of clothing and wore only those seven items all month long. Month 2: Food. She choose 7 foods and only ate those. Month 3: Possessions. She set a goal to give away 7 items from her house, per day. Month 4: To refrain from media. Month 5: Waste. This includes recycling and gardening. Month 6: Spending. She choose seven stores that they were allowed to spend their money at. Month Seven: Stress. She limited her social and business activities.
In all honesty, I put off reading this book for a few weeks out of pure fear/selfishness for how my life is now, and what I might be called to change after reading it. In saying that though, I do also believe that God brings certain things into our lives when He thinks we are ready for it. Had I read this book five years ago, I might have thought she was a crazy woman and had dismissed the bigger picture. In reading this though, my heart aches for what she is reaching for. A radical life in service to our Lord! I know He doesn't call all of us to leave our homes and serve as a missionary overseas, but I do know that He has called us to a ministry in my home and around my home...something greater than what I have been a part of. I am so easily consumed by my own life.
I am confident that my review of her book will not do it justice. Jen is a great writer to begin with and she is 100% open about who she is. She had me in tears. She had me laughing, out loud. She makes you feel like she is having a conversation directly with you and you are one of her best girlfriends. She gives you facts, and she gives you scripture. She speaks passionately about the ways that the Holy Spirit is speaking to her.
A lot of the other reviews I have read were upset because they thought that this was a "how-to" book. Jen clearly states that this was a record of her personal journey. I love how she never tells you what her and her families' "end result" was. She speaks from the experiences of her own life but encourages room for the Holy Spirit to communicate what it might mean for you and your family. There is no formula.
The book isn't written in normal chapter sequence. It is broken down into seven months and then Jen has taken excerpts from her daily journal during the experience during that month. There aren't 30/31 entries in the book per month. Some of the entries were short, but some of them were longer. This also made for an easy read, and easy to find a stopping point.
One of the best things about this book is Jen's list in the back of about 20 companies that sell hand made items from non-slave trade organizations. The money goes directly back to support the people that made it. Can you say birthday gifts?! Christmas Shopping?! If you buy the book for nothing else, but this list...it is worth it!!!
I finished this book right around Easter, about four weeks ago. My life hasn't changed drastically overnight. We haven't sold all our possessions and moved to Africa. But, I can tell you that my heart has changed. I'm not saying all of it is due to this book, but God has certainly used it in continuing to open my eyes to something outside of myself.
Tomorrow I will share Part 2 with some quotes from the book!!
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