The Fashion Fast — Shall We Follow Suit?

I came across the most amazing blog this week — The Fashion Fast.  This came by way of a friend of a relative, so it wasn’t something I stumbled upon.  I do want to say that although I support her idea of fasting from spending money on fashion, I don’t intend to support her financially.  I have no idea what she intends to do with the money she collects, or which charity she will be giving to.  I think all financial contributions should be checked with Charity Navigator and other accountability organizations.  This is why I support Compassion International whole-heartedly — I agree with their mission, focus and integrity.  I know they are in line with what I believe.

With that said, I was tremendously intrigued by this woman’s plan to “Fashion Fast” for a whole year (Imagine that!  A whole week or month would be a challenge for some) .  She even set up a list of rules.  We should all follow her lead.  What impressed me most is that she works for a fashion magazine in New York, and yet she has felt the desire to pull away from striving to attain more clothing.  What tickled me was the fact that she held a “Last Supper” (of shopping) before the fast began.  You can view the clothes she bought on her blog.

Here are some of the clothes I bought while in Kansas City last week.

Actually, one of these is something Chris, our son, bought.  Both of us were convinced to buy things because they were on sale.  Would we ever see these items again?  Would we even care if we didn’t?  How could we have used our money more wisely?  How about sponsoring another child in need?  (30,000 children die every day from preventable causes).  How about buying mosquito nets to protect families from malaria?  (Every 30 seconds, a child dies from malaria alone).  How about donating to the Global Food Crisis? (Four children die from hunger every 30 seconds).

I think one of the reasons I often don’t feel “guilty” about buying more stuff, is because I’ve already given to each of these worthy causes.  But why not give more?  Why not live as Wess Stafford says — on “enough?”  Why do we think we need to have more than enough?  I think for me, it is the sales that catch my attention–something looks good and I don’t think I’ll ever see it again at this price, so I feel I should buy it.

What are you buying that is “more than enough?”

Have you given to these worthy causes listed above?  If not, why not?  If so, why not again?

How can we train ourselves to be more careful in our spending habits?

Does anyone want to take up her lead and join the cause by sponsoring a child right now?

Lord, forgive me for buying “more than enough” for myself.  Give me enough compassion and self-sacrifice to put others’ needs ahead of my own wants.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter–when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”  Isaiah 58:6-7

~ by Juli Jarvis on August 3, 2008.