Home, Creature Comfort, and Compromising Positions

We've been attending a large Anglican church in the suburbs for the past few weeks. The Sunday after I posted my wahh-wahh post about "Screwing up God's Plan for Your Life", the rector preached a sermon about "Listening Prayer" and how to hear God through the noise of our desires, fears, weakness, and agendas. It encouraged me to remember that even though we only "get" this life in part at best, the Lord does have a plan for my life (our life!), and He will accomplish his will through it, despite our biffs here and there.

The last week or so has been a bit better for Les. He's starting to get into more of a groove, and he's had some positive feedback from students who are engaged in the subjects and enjoying his class. This is huge for him, and helps keep him going when the going continues to be tough. 

And so, with a little more breathing room on his part, we are embarking upon the gutwrenching  Super Fun! process of furnishing our new home. We left most of our furniture in Raleigh, since we realized that it would actually cost more to ship our hand-me-down Ektorp to Illinois than it would cost to rebuy everything brand new from Ikea. It has been almost two months now, and we have agreed on and purchased a grand total of One piece of furniture. We are trapped in a vortex of Too Many Choices and Two Different Style Leanings, and it is driving us both crazy. In part because we have such a long list of (sometimes competing) values to consider in all of these decisions:

• Do we buy cheaper pieces but fully outfit each room ASAP?
• Do we buy cheaper pieces and keep to a bare minimum of function and re-direct additional funds elsewhere?
• Do we buy higher-end pieces that will presumably last longer? Will they REALLY last longer? Can we justify the expense?
• Where is the line between "Reasonable Comfort" and "Indulgent Self Absorbed Greed"?
• How do we set up our home to be as hospitable as possible - a restful place for everyone who comes in - without justifying every purchase with "But it will be so much more comfortable for our guests!". 

We do intend to do a lot of hosting, and we're praying that God would turn up all kinds of opportunities, like Safe Families, international students, future foster care, and straight up guests from all over. That's legit. But I can hear myself start to use it as a justification for weird things like separate, special guest towels and sheets and new bedding and all manner of "extra".

Every time we are about to buy something, I'm gripped by sticker shock, doubt, and guilt. I cannot even bring myself to calculate the horrendous environmental toll each set of drawers, bed frame, and area rug is taking. And ugh! The labor practices in the countries where these things are made! We have found some "Made in America" options, which I feel slightly better about, but still. Each potential purchase feels like I have to compromise my sincere desire for simplicity and to be a good steward of resources and the earth. I recognize, however, that people need something to sit on, a bed to sleep on, and a place to eat and work. I'm inclined to get as many things as possible second hand, but I've been scouring Craigslist and second-hand stores for weeks, and haven't really found anything that looks like a great fit for us that is in good enough condition to use immediately. 

And let me tell you - after almost 2 months with Les's parents, I want to be in the new house IMMEDIATELY. 

It hasn't been that bad, honestly, but now that it is sooooo close to being livable, I'm chomping at the bit to pull the trigger and start living there. Our home! And your home away from home, if you like.