I recently read “Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action” by J. Matthew Seeth. Seeth has practical wisdom regarding stewardship of resources. I found myself both challenged and informed about taking some steps to reduce. One thing that stood out in my mind was the irony inherit in our desire to limit labor in our lives. We pursue labor saving devices to the point that we become sedentary and unhealthy. Then we have to build physical activity into our lives like running or going to the gym. We have to work more to earn the money to pay for the labor saving devices and gym memberships. Only to find ourselves then lacking time. Way an insane cycles.
In response I have made a couple simple steps. First, I went through and eliminated nearly all our incandescent bulbs and replaced them with energy efficient compact flourescent bulbs. More significantly, I installed a solar and wind powered clothes dryer commonly known as a clothes line. I am finding that I absolutely love the clothes line. As I am out hanging clothes, I frequently pray. I find myself slowing down externally and internally. It brings a certain does of peace to me.
My clothes line is also reacclimating my awareness to other rhythms of life. I look, listen, feel and sense what’s happening in nature during the time I am out there. I am monitoring birds, sun, breezes and other natural activity. I find myself more sharply attuned to nuances in the weather, lest my laundry get a second rinse cycle. My little laundry line has become a tiny window back into the world that I tend to rush by. Lastly, there isn’t a fragrance ball or fabric softener that can even come close to the chemical free fresh scent of line dried clothing. I can’t encourage someone enough to install one. All these little blessings and I am saving energy at the same time. Who would of thought?
Lastly, my current recommended resource is Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action
Blessings from the Practical Disciple
