I did realise that only one of the things you talked about was a posession, which is why I also talked about setting goals.

I think my problem is that the concept of planning something long-term and then achieving it is alien to me and I am quite jealous of your ability to do, and be able to do, this. I just drift along, hoping for the best, I don’t think about what I want, because I don’t actually know. Nor do I know what God wants me to do, so I will just keep plodding on. This is obviously not the right attitude to take, but it, to me, is realistic.

Maybe I’m just lazy. I suspect so. I shouldn’t write things when I’m feeling grumpy and tired.

First, I would say that of the four things I mentioned, only one (the campervan) is a possession, and although it is a luxury item, I’d have it instead of taking flights to go on holiday, as a green alternative. I’ve also toyed with the idea of selling the house (and using the money to fund something worthwhile), and permanently living in a campervan. The idea of paying off the mortgage early is also to have more time and money available to serve God, perhaps by renting out the house while we go on missions, etc.

My second point is that possessions over and above what is necessary or essential are not wrong. It’s our attitude towards them that is right or wrong. If we view them as a resource to be used to serve God, and are happy that he can give and remove them as he sees fit, then I think that’s quite a healthy thing. For example, people with cars can provide lifts to those who need them. I have a number of friends (all a few years older than us), who have some useful tools that they willingly make available to others in the church, and I know they view their possessions as gifts to be shared, and the church benefits from their attitude.

I’m not in favour of acquiring stuff for the sake of it, but I don’t believe we’re all called to live in a kind of puritan austerity either. (That’s not to say I don’t fancy trying out the puritan austerity thing for a few months. The simplicity appeals to me.)

In a sort-of-similar vein, I have taken to disposing of surplus possessions (recently a table, a lawnmower, garden chairs, bricks, jars, and more) on Freecycle, ensuring they are used by someone who needs them. In the same period I have bought a Wii and Wii Fit to help me lose weight, because (a) it’s cheaper than joining a gym or going swimming, once you factor in the necessary bus fare to the pool, and (b) it’s fun, and therefor stick-at-able. I like the image I read about somewhere where you let possessions flow into and out of your life, not holding on to any of them too tightly, trusting God to provide what you need.

What do you think? : )

I don’t really see how wanting to accumulate more possessions or money is justifiable, if one already has more than enough to live comfortably on. I’m not saying I don’t do this, I’m just saying.

I don’t have any long term goals. I don’t think I have the discipline to ever achieve any that I might set. I find the concept of ‘getting what you want’ quite alien, because, I think, I find a lot of things quite difficult and I can’t really say that I have often got what I wanted with much ease.

I may be wrong, but I’ve always seen you as the sort of person who does get what she wants, most of the time. I admire your self discipline and goal-setting mentality, but I think you have to be a particular kind of person to live in this way.

Sorry if this sounds really grumpy! It’s not meant to be a criticism; I think I’m just more negative about these things than you are!