The Good Life – Principles Day 11

I find myself heart-sinkingly weighed down

with all the clutter of this modern life. 

I dare not take a short walk into town 

without some talismans to keep me safe.

Keys, smart phone, money – Be Prepared! If not,

just think what huge disasters lie ahead:

a sunset left unsnapped, a scone unbought,

a meeting left untweeted, text unread. 

St Francis stripped off, threw the gold coins down,

and free from clutter walked through his new life

in rough and ready robe from town to town, 

without desire to stay well fed or safe. 

God grant that we too, might learn how

to put aside the future for the now. 

Day Eleven — The Third Aim (continued) 

Although we possess property and earn money to support ourselves and our families, we show ourselves true followers of Christ and of Saint Francis by our readiness to live simply and to share with others. We recognise that some of our members may be called to a literal following of Saint Francis in a life of extreme simplicity. All of us, however, accept that we avoid luxury and waste, and regard our possessions as being held in trust for God.