Again and again we have been telling the story of our move. Central Austin. New house. New business. Planting a church. How God has surpassingly continued to meet us in each circumstance. And again and again I have people lament for me the fact that we are moving to a small(er) house.
Sometimes I just bite my tongue and change the subject. And other times I wax poetic about the virtues of living with less, smaller environmental footprint, less to clean, the character and charm of older homes, the proximity to my job/downtown/yummy food and how I just love small homes.
But most of the time I mourn that the focus of our society is bigger is better. Why oh why would I want to live in a smaller home if I could take that same money, move out to the suburbs and have a brand spanking new house that has 5 rooms and 4 bathrooms and two play areas? I don’t need more space. We wouldn’t need more space even if we had a bigger family.
I don’t buy into the ‘American Dream’. Bigger is not better – in fact it may be worse because it can distract us from the true meaningful task at hand – loving like Jesus loved. More (whether it’s ‘bigger’ or just ‘things’) can shackle us to the cares of this world so that we are distracted – unable to love the way we are called.
The truth is we value the mission that we have been placed on, this story that we are creating much more than a large house. We believe that living in central Austin in a smaller home is going to impact eternity through the people we will meet and live life among. None of it feels like a sacrifice to me.
I completely agree! (And as someone who lives in Round Rock, I would love to be in central Austin! Even if I can walk to Round Rock Donuts from my house…)
I agree! We find that having a smaller house encourages us to focus not on what we have (or don’t have); instead, it’s a reminder to live large even in a small space. We get out and enjoy the community, spend time with neighbors outside, and are always editing our stuff down so that gradually we’ll be able to have only the things we really need and use. Congrats on your new home!!! What a wonderful neighborhood to move to.
I’m with you 100%!!
I love your heart, Beth!
I understand! We moved from the Burnet / Koening area of Austin to 3 acres in Kyle…. Miss the food, miss the neighbors, miss the “city” of it… do not like the “stuff” that has been accumulated since we now have double the space in the house and uber more space in the yard…. Love my house, love my chickens, love the quiet… it’s a no-win for me …. LOL
I just love this post. Love it.
agreed! i loved your pin the other day about smaller homes and tighter families
Thank you Thankyou for your willingness to share. I cannot tell you what a difference this made at I time when I myself was feeling very ungrateful for the abundance our Father in Heave has bestowed upon me. Shouldn’t I be happy that I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food to eat? That my daughter is healthy and learning to know and love Jesus Christ? Yes I should, so thank you again for this reminder.
We just moved into a smaller apartment from our house, and I agree! Though I liked my house much better, downsizing is pretty freeing. It’s true that everything you own owns a part of you. Made me excited to get rid of everything that doesn’t fit in 2 or 3 suitcases a piece in a few months! (though some things are really sad to say goodbye to, if I’m being honest)