Mallory and I got to talking to Clint and Rachel (our pastor and his wife) about consumerism last night. We were baby sitting for them and when they came home we got to chatting about being away from home for the holidays and what that's like for us and what that's been like for their kids the last couple of years. Clint mentioned how his parents have sent a lot of gifts to the kids this year (which he appreciates) and how they have struggled as the kids grow up to prevent their children from being sucked into a "gimmie gimmie gimmie" mindset about gifts, toys, and stuff in general. He said, "we've had birthday parties where we put on the invitation no gifts please, but people still show up with gifts." We began talking about what it is about our culture that makes things this way. He said, "I don't know if people feel like they need to bring a gift because, that's just what you do at birthday parties or what exactly it is". Mallory mentioned an article we read about Americans spending $80 billion around Christmas time and that $40 billion of it is an absolute waste on the economy. Here is why, 50% of the gifts Americans receive during Christmas time are unsatisfying. Consequently, If the point of money and working to earn money is to bring satisfaction to our lives, then when we receive gifts from other people that total $80 billion we have essentially thrown $40 billion down our economy's drain when they don't "satisfy" us. Clint replied, "that is a good point but I believe the amount spent on Christmas by Americans is closer to to $150 billion". Also, "it would only take $80 billion to put clean water wells throughout the entire world for people that do not have access to clean water".
It was a very insightful talk and it's such a blessing to have a pastor that has no allusions about the culture he lives in and the effects it has on his life, his children 's life, and the life's of the people in the church. Keep in mind our pastor was born and raised in Indiana and from the sounds of things, its very similar to an Oklahoma lifestyle. He's no Oregon hippy with grand visions of some cornucopia lifestyle if we would just all hold hands and recycle more. He doesn't even have a position on global warming because he says he hasn't done his research on it yet. I'm proud to hear he's planing on doing his own research before letting some talking head on t.v. tell him what to believe about the issue. That topic is for another blog and another day.
He did tell me to check out a website called the story of stuff. I've, posted the video below, it's only 20 minutes long and it really breaks down the system (a broken system) we as a modern society have developed since world war II. I won't go into details because the video does a great job in itself.
Mallory and I have been talking a lot about how difficult it is to forge a new way of doing things without coming off as ungrateful for the things we have been given, the way we've been raised, and the opportunities we've been blessed with. Nevertheless, Mallory and I are making decisions now based on values we hold dear as a couple that will begin to shape our everyday decisions, as well as our long term decisions. And I'm not talking about just being different for the sake of being different, I'm talking about seeking the heart of God in every decision we make so that we cease to operate in a system built by man that exploits millions of others and is destroying our planet. Those are easy words to say but I'm putting them down in writing so that you all can hold us accountable to them. It won't be easy but we're always up for a challenge. Gammy told me this summer that I needed a God sized challenge and that's what I hope to find.
Here is my first goal:
Within the next ten years I will never spend another penny at a gas station. Not only with the fuel they provide on the outside but with the garbage they call food and drink on the inside.
Ask me how I'll do it and I'll tell you.
Sources close to me are saying the next goal may have something to do with Wal-Mart. However, I can neither confirm nor deny those reports.....
-Trey
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