We live in a society that, for the most part, is morally and spiritually bankrupt. Our culture is a culture of consumerism. How sustainable is that? - Benjamin Bratt I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, personally. However, in the past few years I have allowed the end of the year to stir thoughts in me about long-term changes I can make that would better my own life, my family's life, and the lives of those that are in my life. As 2022 gave way to 2023 I began to consider what it would look like to begin to orient my life and our family's life around being cultivators rather than consumers. What does moving along the continuum from consumer to cultivator look like? I'm not entirely sure. But I do know that working toward being freed from the incessant cravings of consumerism is not something we will regret in the end. One thing that I became increasingly aware of in the latter half of 2022 was how consumerism was driving me to view everything as existing solely
Flowers to be admired, though their beauty is ever fleeting. Reminds me of the truth, your love is all exceeding. Time cannot diminish what grows stronger through our days. Though seasons may batter and life may bruise, It’s our love for each other that carries us through. Books to be read, ideas to be stirred, our imaginations left to dance, To the unheard lyrics of love that can only be passed between those Who delicately hold on to life together, like the yet to be turned page Balanced between the thumb and index finger. Breath bated with excitement and anticipation of what comes next. Coffee to be sipped slowly, as the steam curls up from the cup, A reminder of how fleeting this life we share really is. But we live and love for more than the here and now, don’t we? We live and love for our girls to see, really see, What commitment and sacrifice look like. We live and love for forever, eternity. Of all the evidences of grace I’ve known, you stand above them all. Towering in your bea