We're Breaking Up

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."   ... 1 Timothy 6:6-8

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Today, after only 5 weeks, I broke up with HGTV.

Now, I could write an involved, complaining blog post about why, but instead I'll do this:

In my town there are long streets and whole neighborhoods of post-war houses, all Levittown-ish like this ...

... and this ...

They are smallish homes with boxy rooms, most with just one bathroom and houses sitting closely on each side. And the first owners? The returning soldiers and their brides? They felt thrilled and fortunate to move their meager belongings into those boxy rooms. Home ownership was an honor, especially after housing shortages of the Times, and was affordable on one income (mostly). And in my area many of these young couples grew old together in these small homes, never moving again.

Now, the real estate shows (there are many) on HGTV, to me, represent the polar opposite of that type of gratitude and simple, honest contentment (not to mention their representation of one reason poorer countries hate us so). And well, I just can't watch them anymore. I've got the reactions memorized, ("Oh! But we wanted hardwood floors, an open concept, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, 2 or 3 bathrooms with double sinks, a big backyard and ....") and they only horrify me, especially when they sow little seeds of doubt toward my own tiny, unpretentious house and the way we live inside it. 

Instead, I'm choosing that which will increase contentment with what God's given me and reminders that we keep our discretionary spending low enough so to remain out of debt and able to help others, also. So I broke up with HGTV and am moving on to something better.

Just so you know.  :)

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"Being "contented" ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being content with an attic ought not to mean being unable to move from it and resigned to living in it; it ought to mean appreciating all there is in such a position."

    Author: G.K. Chesterton

"Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!"

    Author: Jim Elliot

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For the record, I noticed that Nicole Curtis of Rehab Addict is also on the DIY network and I'm still very open to watching her. Both Tom and I consider her our hero because of her purist attitude, her love of old, imperfect homes, the way she doesn't spend a fortune to buy or repair them, the blood and sweat she pours into each one and the way she prefers to use inexpensive, recycled objects, often free from the curb.

I watch Nicole carry around bathtubs, knock down walls and pull off siding and tell myself, "If Nicole can do all that, at least you can get up and wash a sink full of dishes! Get up you lazy ol' thing....!"  

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Free Kindle Book:

Laughs, Luck and Lucy