We live in more prosperous and innovative times than any previous generation, and yet are more overwhelmed and irritable than ever.

Hello! I’m Kristin Buchtel, and I know I’m not the only one who is concerned that living a typical modern lifestyle is camouflaging my path to following Christ.

Living in modern times is challenging, and I’m not just referring to politics or the culture wars. It’s easy to look at the world and see the division, chaos, and rudeness. It’s that political party. It’s all the Karens. It’s this lazy generation.

But,

What if it’s me?

Have I forgotten kindness?

Over-scheduled my life? 

Responded to inflammatory headlines?

Overstuffed my home?

Absorbed myself in scrolling?

Yes.

I find myself conforming to the crowd and living the typical, cookie-cutter lifestyle common among most Americans. It seems harmless, and it is comfortable, so why go looking to disturb that?

Modern life has blurred what used to be a more straightforward path towards kindness, love, and care for others. We are drowning in our ladder-climbing, achievement-driven, and self-care-focused lives.

The question we need to ask is, how would Jesus want us to use the advancements and prosperity of our times as his disciples?

I have decided it’s time to go back to the basics. The short ponderings you find here are an opportunity to step out of our daily routine and search for the narrow gate, to act with more urgency, and to live with intention.

Do we have the courage to choose that path, the grit to walk it, the stamina to stick to it?

I’m not a theologian or an expert, but a fellow Catholic, in the pew next to you, wondering about the path I am walking. I’m grateful for my blessings, but I fear how much of my middle-class lifestyle is the wide and easy path.

Jesus called on his followers to pick up their cross and to live differently.

Radically differently.

This site is not about perfection. It’s about being purposeful.

Check out a few posts. Share your comments and wisdom for finding and walking the narrow path. Together, we can sharpen our focus, walk with purpose, and be a positive and fruitful force in this troubled world.

Let’s begin!