Outrage accomplishes nothing; 8 things our home can't live without; a highlight reel to boost morale
Outrage Accomplishes Nothing.
I recently heard the phrase “outrage accomplishes nothing” used in the context of modern political squabbles amongst populists, libertarians, and traditional conservatives. But because all theology (and all philosophy) cries out for practical application, I immediately drew the connection to how we manage our homes. Outrage accomplishes nothing. I can be outraged by the level of disorder in a child’s bedroom. I can be outraged by the fact that my whole kitchen suddenly looks like a garbage dumpster because of the amount of white paint peeling off the most frequently-used cabinets. I can be outraged by the fact that a sitting President is pulling out all the stops to promote child abuse*, or that Disney wants to brainwash a new generation of American children.
My outrage about the child’s room accomplishes nothing - until I create a sustainable plan for room tidiness, check up on it, and require obedience. My outrage over the kitchen cabinets only creates irritation - until I devote a couple of hours to sand and repaint the edges of the high-traffic cabinets, a miniscule bit of labor that pays off by making them look sparkling new again. As to the outrage on a political level, a proper response to the catastrophic civilization devastation we are living through ought to ramp up my own faithfulness in stewarding the hearts and minds under my care; and if I’m looking to political leaders or (even worse) Disney to create a vision and hope for my children’s future, I deserve exactly what we are getting.
At the risk of speaking with a forked tongue: outrage can accomplish something….if it causes me to take pause, see my own failings, repent for my intellectual and/or practical laziness, and turn with much vim and vigor to a more righteous (and inherently productive) path, then it was indeed a valuable catalyst. If said outrage ends with the equivalent of me holding a protest sign even while my family falls apart, I’m no different than the protestors who burn down buildings and call for de-funding the police. Let’s keep our eyes laser-focused on the spiritual implications of our homes and our worlds, and the practical will necessarily follow.
*Because let’s be perfectly clear: destroying vulnerable children will not be looked upon lightly by our Creator. To the complicit parents, doctors, teachers, Hollywood activists, corporate executives, professional athletes, and politicians who are in on this racket - how can you bear the judgment? Why is there not a cacophony of intellectually honest doctors and social workers who are willing to put their own necks on the line ~ rather than stand by while millstones are placed around the necks of precious children who require the wisdom and love of adults? Seven-year-old children still need convincing that brushing teeth twice a day is a good idea; how can we expect them to assess anything important in their life - like their very identity - with wisdom?
8 Things Our Home Can't Live Without
I don’t normally write such click bait-worthy headlines, but here are some things so integral to our family life that their absence would cause much weeping and gnashing of teeth:
Old-fashioned Popcorn Maker - every movie night is incomplete without homemade popcorn doused with coconut oil and salt (though when we bought it six years ago, it was less than half the cost it is now!).
Homemade sourdough bread. Straight out of the oven slathered with butter. Toasted with butter and jam. Torn off in chunks as a quick snack. As a side dish at dinner. For the best croutons ever. As the bread for the most exquisite French Toast ever. And as the most important ingredient in the most magnificent of all brunch items: bread pudding.
This espresso pot. We’ve tried several through the years and this 6-cup version is our favorite.
Lemon/eucalyptus essential oil blend. This is the blend that is diffused by the office where I receive one of my treatments, and I immediately claimed it for our own family scent.
White boards. I think we have a white board in every single room of our house, except the bathrooms. We have massive ones mounted to the walls, hand-held ones, and everything in between. This rolling white board is our latest edition as of a few months ago, and we love it.
Maldon sea salt. I put this in my adrenal fatigue cocktail (see #7) every morning, and now I mourn when any other salt is used for anything.
This adrenal fatigue drink was shared with me last fall by a friend when vertigo was still a constant, debilitating issue. She suggested electrolyte imbalance was a factor, and after a couple of weeks of this drink, my vertigo is now rare. And when it does occur, I have this as an extra tool in my toolbox. (There are many recipes online that call for coconut water, but since I keep cream or tartar on hand, I use that version rather than coconut water.)
Ginger chews. I will confess I am a ginger addict. I don’t eat (and can’t tolerate) hardly any sugar in my diet. But ginger, which is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it food, has grown on me the last several years and is now my preferred treat. We put fresh, raw ginger in our tea with lemon, my favorite bottled drink is Lemon/Ginger Kevita, and my absolute favorite “treat” throughout the day is a ginger chew. They have a lot of kick, so beware! I love the lemon- and mango-flavored ones. If I am driving and get tired, my co-passenger (usually Madeleine) immediately gets out my little packet of ginger chews and knows that all will be well.
A Highlight Reel
Finally, a highlight reel to boost the morale of all families who occasionally despair that the cultural and artistic landscape is dark (it is), who despair that young people are mostly subsumed in narcissistic pop culture (they are), and are committed to digging far and wide to find things that are edifying, beautiful, and excellent (which is what you ought to do - because the effort is worth it).
If you’re new here (and there are many new folks reading - welcome!), you can find out more here and also read prior issues here, here, and here.
Until next time,
Allison