Old Things R New

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Yesterday I went to a discount club for some cat litter. My alternative health provider said they had good, natural litter there. When I walked into the vast, cold warehouse-type store, which was loaded with luxuries any housewife would admire, I was told I could buy something without having a membership.

We’d had memberships in such clubs for years. It was supposed to be more economical. When we remodeled our garage into a workroom, we lined the walls with cupboards so we’d have room to store the large packages you usually get at those places. We never went into one, even just to look, without dropping a few Cs. And oh, it was all so economical.

A big buggy rolled across the parking lot toward my car, so after I had parked I grabbed it and pushed it into the store. When I got to the pet aisle, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to get down a box of litter. They were slightly above my head and weighed twenty-five pounds. So I waved at a big, strong-looking associate. But before I could catch his eye, I realized that unless I could convince him to go home with me, I’d have to wrestle the box into the trunk of the car and somehow get it into the house. I decided to think it though, and make other arrangements. So there I was with my buggy and half an hour before I had to be at my daughter’s work place to go to lunch. It was enough time to walk a mile, the weather was growing warmer outside and by afternoon would be hot, so I started up and down the aisles.

Was I tempted by anything as walked at a moderate pace through the store? Oh, yes. But the only thing I paused long enough to pick up and think about was a book. However I had just discarded eight books in a row that I’d bought used, because I didn’t like them. It would be foolish to pay $9.99, and find myself once again giving up on the book. I laid it down and continued on my way.

Why was I not tempted to buy anything else? I think it was because Bill and I have made some progress in simplifying our daily life. We know what we like to eat and what’s good for us. Two people don’t consume much. Everything costs so much, but thank God, we can get what we need. And I’d already filled up all my cupboards with art supplies.

I’ve been trying for decades (with not much success) to follow the wonderful precepts in Quaker, Richard J. Foster’s book, Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World. The book shows how living more simply not only allows us to enjoy less stress and more leisure, but also contributes to the health of our bodies and souls.

While I was walking around the store, I passed a woman with eight children accompanying her. I figured they were all hers because their sizes ranged from a couple of teen-aged girls walking beside her, to a toddler in the cart. The three small boys bringing up the rear, were, of course, having a good time of their own. I admire a woman who can handle that many children all at once. It was apparent that the discount club was a good place for her to shop, because her family would always need a great deal of food and other things.

When it was time to leave, the buggy was still empty, but I had something to take away. I had gained an exercise time and recognized once again how blessed our country is to have stores of plenty. Also I had a new self-respect for not lingering long enough to find a temptation I couldn’t resist. I rolled the buggy up to the man who stood checking tickets against purchases and asked where I should put it. He was a bit confused, so I just parked it next to an empty behind him.

Even though life still seems complicated and full of decisions and choices, I may be making progress toward simplicity after all. Is this something you desire as well?

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Tags: Alternative Health for Pets, Christian bloggers, Christianity, Discount Warehouse, DiVoran Lites, Family Life, Simplicity