The lionhearted thoughts of a girl named Lainey.

Every scroll through social media feels like a sales pitch. Ads. Influencers. Products I “need” right now—in every color, for every person I know. More, more, more.

Lately, it seems everyone I follow is selling something: a drink to boost energy, a supplement to fix my mood, an outfit to transform my confidence. And while most mean well, I can’t ignore the culture of excess we’re drowning in.

Let’s be honest—I’ve clicked. I’ve bought. Some things were useful, but none were life-changing. Most weren’t necessary. And yet, the pressure to consume never stops.

So why share this?

Because Jesus offers something radically different: simplicity. A life of less. A life that resists consumerism, greed, and self-centeredness. Scripture calls us to make space—for the Holy Spirit to dwell, for God’s Word to live in us.

Holiness is meant to be set apart—not buried under clutter.

Maybe it’s time for a “junk out.” And literally get the junk out, of our homes, our eyes, our ears, our hearts and minds.

The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What we buy reveals what we worship. Beauty, fashion, travel—none are inherently bad. But Scripture always whispers: There is a better way.

We are called to live differently. Set apart. But in 2025 America, saying “no” is hard. Ads are everywhere—TV, podcasts, billboards, even our inboxes. The message is constant: You need more.

But has “more” ever brought peace? Joy? Refuge from chaos? I can say with certainty: No. It’s only added noise.

So today, I invite you into something counter-cultural: REST. 🕊️ Sabbath. Simplicity.

Followers of Christ should understand Sabbath deeply. It’s not just rest—it’s celebration. It’s trust. It’s saying, “God is enough.” and He will always provide everything I need.

Kristi McLelland writes in Feasting on God’s Word:

“What’s beautiful about the heart of God as revealed through Sabbath is that as you and I become more “sabbathed” people, we invite others into it. We become the agency of Sabbath in a world of striving and straining where there’s never enough, where the focus is on the acquisition of more. As we Sabbath, we embody that there is enough, that the kingdom is anchored in sufficiency not scarcity. I don’t have to take anything from you. I have a good Father who is funding my whole life. I can choose to be anchored in Sabbath.”

Let’s choose that anchor. Let’s live set apart. Let’s keep it stupid simple.

Motherhood & the Pressure to Keep Up As a mom, the pressure to keep up with the Joneses doesn’t just knock—it barges in. It’s not just about what I see online anymore; it’s what my daughter sees too. From the moment she notices what her friends have—whether it’s a trendy backpack, the latest gadget, or a pair of shoes that sparkle just right—I feel the tug. The silent whisper: “She’ll feel left out if she doesn’t have it.”

And I’ve given in. More than once. I’ve bought the thing. I’ve justified it. I’ve told myself it’s harmless. But deep down, I know I’m feeding the same cycle I’m trying to break.

It’s hard. Because I want her to feel seen. Included. Loved. But I also want her to know that her worth isn’t found in what she owns or how she compares. I want her to understand that being “set apart” isn’t just a spiritual idea—it’s a lifestyle. One that says no to the noise and yes to the quiet, sacred space where God speaks.

So I’m learning. Slowly. That saying “no” to the next shiny thing is actually saying “yes” to something deeper. To character. To contentment. To Sabbath.

And maybe, just maybe, she’ll see that too—not because I preach it, but because I live it.