Content in simplicity

Recently I heard a story which prompted me to write this sooner than I wanted. A factory was built in one of South America’s countries and the local people became workers there. After a few months of work, they received their pay and the next week no one showed up for work. The
employer was surprised and visited the local people to solve this surprise. People replied to the factory owners that they have enough money and they don’t need anymore. The clever company leaders decided to mail a Sears catalog to the people who used to work at the factory. After this, there was no problem with shortage of employees there. This is a clear example of not desiring things until someone shows us what we are missing. Most likely we are missing unessential things but over time they become essential.
I was always thankful of how God let me begin my life and hope to slowly go back to this lifestyle especially when I raise my own family. As we grew up in 1990s, we had just enough of everything a child may need in life – food, clothes, a modest home (40 by 40 for 5 people), a few toys,
neighborhood of friends and parents. I never remember complaining that I don’t have something others have. Maybe the problem in this country is that people have so many extra things so we start thinking we need them. In Ukraine, most people lived similar to us so we didn’t know there is so much more. It was a simple life of contentment and we didn’t ask parents for things we knew they couldn’t afford. There actually wasn’t much we could want – we had all we needed. Our bedroom/dining room/living room consisted of 3 beds which turned into sofas during the day, a dining room table, a desk, a dresser and 2 big armoires since there are no wall closets in Ukraine. Our kitchen had a refrigerator, gas stove, wood stove, 2 small tables and a hutch. We didn’t know a microwave or a food processor or a toaster existed so we didn’t need it or think it was so essential. Everything was simple and easy – imaginations were used more and books were devoured quickly.
I am realizing more and more how much commercialism and consumerism take over our lives if we aren’t careful. Also, our mind can be so convincing and make us thing we need something. The children of today desire everything they see and then it lies around in corners of the house. Material things are only new for a little while and bring us happiness for a little while. I am worried that children are going to turn into adults who trained their minds to want everything quickly without waiting patiently and often paying with credit cards which put our country more in debt. I am trying to train my mind to live simply and think about how I lived before never lacking anything. I never “needed” a DSI or an IPod or a Wii or so many items kids have
today. And it will never be enough because these things make us happy for a short time. Only God can help us see fill the emptiness with joy and help us be honestly content every day with our work, our belongings, our home, our situation. And I hope someday we can be happy that we achieved life that is simple and doesn't demand much.
I hope we can thank God for giving us just enough.