Leaning Towards the Green
Once upon a time I didn’t care at all about the environment. What did it matter if we used up all of our resources or we filled the earth with garbage? After all, Jesus was going to return any minute and take us away from the consequences of our consumerism and waste. Or so I thought.
Once I began to question the dispensationalist viewpoint I had been taught, and as I struggled with the concept of the “rapture”, I was suddenly forced to re-examine the way I interacted with the world around me.
Suddenly I was forced to plan for the future, and not just my future, but the futures of those who will come after me. This kind of mindset is not one that changes overnight, and if God had suddenly said to me “Thou shalt care about thy global impact”, I’m pretty sure I would have scoffed. Instead he spoke to me through a channel I was already tuned into; my own innate frugality.
The first 2 R’s came somewhat naturally for me. For already I was in a constant state of trying to find ways to reduce my spending. I began to see a connection; how reducing my own personal consumption regardless of the reason have a larger impact then just my life.
One way that I incorporated both reducing and reusing is when I stopped buying paper towels and cleaning wipes, I chose instead to buy cotton cloths, that I can wash and disinfect.
However, the part where I have always struggled is when my desire to go “green” clashes with my innate frugality; whether it is buying organic or natural foods, reusable grocery bags, or environmentally safe cleaning products. It is easy to judge and say that I choose money over principles, but it is not that clear cut. When my husband is out of work (which is unforunately all too often), we have to makedo with $25-50 per week to cover groceries and household items (TP, Laundry Soap, Shampoo…etc.) for 2 people. It is nearly impossible to do buying the cheapest items that I can.
But rather than beat myself up for what I can not do, I would rather celebrate that which I can do. I recently made the switch from bottled water, to a tap water filter. Though this has improved the taste of our tap water immeasurably, I admit that I still find the bottled water better tasting (regardless of the assertion by mainly that bottled water is just glorified tap water anyway).
My next step, cannot be implemented until my husband is working again, but when I have the money I will be purchasing some reusable grocery bags. After that, who knows?
