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Seven: An Experiment Against Excessive Living

Seven by Jen Hatmaker, was in my stocking on Christmas morning and finished by the 27th. To say I was excited is an understatement. Not only is Jen a phenomenal author, but also a dear friend. We met in college nearly 20 years ago and she is the real deal! She lives out what she believes. 
In Seven, I was captivated by Jen’s transparency, passion and humor from the get-go. In an effort to avoid being a spoiler, I’ll give enough scoop to dangle a carrot…then let you go get your own copy! Jen was tired of the way she and her family were living and consuming, so she decided to do something about it. They embarked on an experiment that took nearly a year, and involved 7 different fasts, pertaining to 7 different areas in which they felt out of control. Food, clothes, cash, giving, green living and stress were just a few of the areas under attack. Her husband and a loyal group of girlfriends jumped on-board, along with her kids for the majority of the fasts. And when all was said and done, the fasts left a lasting impact on their daily lives.

So what can a reader expect from Seven? You will most likely squirm over the awareness of your own excessive living, but Jen’s writing style is not condemning whatsoever. She shares honestly about her personal struggle and it’s something we can all identify with in some way. The challenge is for you to walk away compelled to live more wisely in your corner of the world. That may mean following Jen’s lead and embarking on her 7 fasts, or a variation your own, or it may mean making tweaks and changes in other ways. The goal of this book is not for the reader to imitate the Hatmakers’ journey, but for each to evaluate his or her own choices, and weigh them in light of God’s word and responsible stewardship.
This book is a crash course in responsible living! From supporting local businesses to composting and cutting back in spending, you can expect your eyes to be opened to a different, better way of living. Many of us spend very little time thinking about our environment or the affect of our living on those coming after us. This is not only foolish, it is arrogant. This world was not created just for me and my little family. I now realize my responsibility both to God and to the generations after us, to care for His earth and actually leave something to pass on.

We are a people with an unprecedented amount of possessions and we can make an unbelievable impact in the lives of those around us, if we choose to share what we’ve been given and live responsibly. Whether you feel led to make any changes to your lifestyle, I highly recommend Seven. Jen writes in a way that is compelling, honest, sarcastic and hilarious. 

 My family will make better choices and continue in a pattern of giving and seeking to live responsibly, seeking to honor God with our lives. Thanks, Jen, for faithfully bearing your heart and soul. The church is a better bride because of your voice.

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