Little Luxuries That Make a Big Difference.

[Hazelelponi]

What worries me is when people talk about hard times. A lot of people have never seen REAL hard times and I'm not sure what would happen if they did. I'm worried that some would shoot themselves in the head rather than face real hard times. When you've never faced doing without before it can seem overwhelming.

It may seem overwhelming but most I imagine will do whatever it takes to get through. In the end the instinct to survive is very strong, and most people will do whatever it takes when faced with it.

 

[JohnDB]

Dregs?

Nastiest bit of coffee ever.

 

[Magenta]

Nastiest bit of coffee ever.

Gritty

 

[Lanolin]

in Rotorua they have free hot water as its heated by thermal spring
I think I'd love to live there just for that reason lol

though where I am the water isnt bad we have catchments in resevoirs up in the rainforest, but we have to look after the forest or there will be no water.

 

[Mem]

A big squishy cat that lets me put big shirts on him in lieu of a pillowcase and a fluffy wiener dog that lets me use her as a foot warmer/ ottoman.

 

[JohnDB]

Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing....and so much Cinnamon sugar and butter the bottom of these is like candy on chewy soft bread.

 

[Lynx]

Yeah that's the way my sourdough cinnamon rolls come out.

And I get to scrape the pan!

 

[seoulsearch]

View attachment 242500

Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing....and so much Cinnamon sugar and butter the bottom of these is like candy on chewy soft bread.

My sweet teeth -- all 32 of them, because I don't have a sweet tooth, I have sweet teeth -- just all stood at attention after seeing that picture. 😳

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Gritty

There are YouTube videos about how to avoid that with the French press if you happen to use one. I don't usually have that problem except when I buy the fine preground kind occasionally.
Buying a coffee grinder and using whole bean is worth the extra step for me.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

A big squishy cat that lets me put big shirts on him in lieu of a pillowcase and a fluffy wiener dog that lets me use her as a foot warmer/ ottoman.

I used to have a rabbit that I wore as a bunny slipper when sitting. It wasn't quite big enough to be a pair.

A little Hotdog Dog humor....

 

[Lanolin]

I do have bunny slippers but not made out of real bunnies.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I do have bunny slippers but not made out of real bunnies.

I can see why someone decided to invent bunny slippers. They probably had a pet rabbit. They like to snuggle up on top of your feet in the winter. I had one as a pet indoors. She was litter box trained and could run loose in certain rooms as long as I kept an eye on her. At the desk or table she acted like bunny slippers.

 

[Mii]

Interesting topic.

I'd have to say hot showers if I could only pick one that I wouldn't want to do without the rest of my life.

Even fires that are hot enough to be relaxing are considered to be a luxury in some parts of the world though but hopefully I can treat myself to the effort of boiling water enough for a shower once in a while. Especially if there were a source of water nearby (like a river or lake). I can't think of many scenarios where I couldn't find a way to get hot water except in the Russian tundra but even then I would go pretty far for a Klondike bar. Even people in Lapland have saunas so....

Even A/C is a MAJOR luxury...building a hand-crank fan might be an option but who would crank it at night?


I think in terms of being called to "trying" missionary work regarding what is a luxury and what is not. Electricity I consider a major luxury but I don't see any reason why I can't bring solar panels...then I could have a box fan or an overhead fan which would satisfy most of my NEED for luxury. I'd still like coffee and I'd still like a few other vices but I suppose anything I could really want could be grown.


I don't think luxury is evil or anything but God hasn't promised them as far as I can surmise.

 

[Lynx]

I don't think luxury is evil or anything but God hasn't promised them as far as I can surmise.

Exactly. They only become evil when they pass a certain level of importance to you, when you consider them your rights get your shorts in a knot if you lose them.

As long as they are kept in their places, ain't a thing wrong with them.

 

[Mii]

Exactly. They only become evil when they pass a certain level of importance to you, when you consider them your rights get your shorts in a knot if you lose them.

As long as they are kept in their places, ain't a thing wrong with them.

Definitely if they cross the line into idolatry for sure. It's not a nice thing to admit and come to grips with for most people and hard to submit to when you are convicted (for me at least).

When they are at the point of being "excess" luxury or "wanton" there's a serious problem.

I've crossed that line before more than once and I feel a sense of disgust in my spirit that the Lord isn't particularly pleased to say the least.

 

[Lanolin]

if you are a christian that celebrates Lent, you do without that luxury for 40 days and nights and then get rewarded with easter eggs. Or hot cross buns take your pick.

Some people give it up all together as they find out they dont need it or miss it. Or you give up something thats addicting.

I found out that young people want to give up video games as they are very addictive. There are now groups to help you quit.

 

[Lanolin]

I never really got into video games but I know one boy was unhappy when the internet went down and he couldnt play his roblox game in the school holidays lol.

 

[Mel85]

Hey Everyone,

The other day I was doing some grocery shopping for family members, and while I probably should have resisted, I went past one of those Sections That Beckon and Call You to Tempt You with Unnecessary But Oh So Satisfying Things.

In other words... I went past the candle section. Gulp. I probably should have stayed on the other side of the store. But needless to say, since they were on sale for $7, I gave in and chose one in particular (nothing says autumn like an Apple Cinnamon scented candle!)

I have always loved (controlled) fire. I am always drawn to lit candles, beautiful fireplaces, bonfires with people roastings marshmallows... I just find fire to be both relaxing and (to me) in very close association with God, because of there are so many references to fire in the Bible.

Some of my favorite fire-featuring stories in the Bible are of God calling Moses through a burning bush that was on fire but did not burn up (Exodus 3,) Elijah and the prophets of Baal, in which God threw down a holy fire that burned up EVERYTHING, including a moat of water (1 Kings 18,) the presence of God appearing as flames over believer's heads at Pentecost (Acts 2,) and my personal favorite, Judges 13, in which the Angel of the Lord appears to Samson's parents to announce his birth, then ascends back to heaven by entering into the altar flame. Wowsers!!

What I wouldn't give to see THAT while burning my humble little candle!!

A little bit of fire just puts me in a very reflective mood, often prepping me for prayer and pondering what God might be thinking at that very moment. To me, a burning candle is a little luxury that makes a big difference.

What about you?

* What are some little things that are splurges but make a big difference in your spiritual, emotional, or overall mood and health?

* Some examples might be: a cup of coffee or tea; incense or something that smells good; a moment to yourself with a book or something you enjoy; a favorite snack or treat; a favorite activity.

* What are some small things that are available to almost anyone but have the power to completely reset your frame of mind or tone of the day/evening?

I'm looking forward to hearing people's stories of little things they thoroughly savor not only to learn more about others here, but also to give us some ideas of other things that might work for the rest of us, too.

Thanks Seoul for the inspiring topic I don’t know if this counts but seeing my dog everyday after work gives me happiness and vice verca hehe he is always happy to see and greet me and it definitely brings a difference to my mood especially if I’ve had a busy and chaotic day at work