Packing up a 3600 square foot house is not my idea of fun. In fact, moving/packing is the #1 item on my Top Ten List of things I most dislike, (okay, operative word is really "hate")....However, the Lord gave me such a gift the other day, I must share it. A bit of history first: a few years ago, I ran across some very old letters I'd written my mom just after she left me, when I was about seven years old. When I opened up that box and began reading those letters, it was as if salt had been poured on an open wound I didn't even know was there! The pain gushed up and I could not suppress it any longer. It was so intense, it felt like I was having surgery with no anesthesia! I went through some serious prayer time with my mentor, Paula, and we uncovered the root of that pain, dealt with it, and the wound healed.
Now, fast forward to just a couple of days ago. . .I'm packing, going through boxes that have been stored in a closet and find those same letters. I pull one out. Three pages of my hand-written letter on bright orange paper. Classic. I began reading this simple, ADD-sounding letter that I'd written Mom when I was around 8 years old. I don't stay on the same subject for more than two sentences, but throughout this letter, I keep saying, "Boy, my arm is getting tired." . . "Boy, Mom, my arm is really tired!.". . ."Did I tell you how tired my arm is?" . . . and then on the last page, I say, "I'm telling you for the third time, my arm is so tired, I don't know what I'm going to do!"
Okay, maybe not as funny to you, but as I read that letter, I busted out laughing so hard, tears were running down my cheeks and I could not stop laughing! In fact, I don't even remember reading this letter several years ago when I first came across this box. Whether I read it back then or not, the release of endorphins I got from reading it the other day was just what the Doctor ordered. Gary and I had a tough night the night before and we both were feeling a little down, so that letter brought much "goodness" to my heart the next day. That's just ONE benefit to downsizing...you never know what treasure you might come across that's been hiding in a box stuffed in a closet.
One more treasure is this: when downsizing, I've found it's important to go through everything to determine if I want to move it or not. The last three moves I've made have been up sizing. In that case, I would think, "Oh, I can take that...I'll have more room anyway." So I didn't carefully dispose of things I really didn't need. But while downsizing, I'm getting rid of things I've carried around for 10 years that I absolutely do not need: papers, bills from old credit cards I don't even have anymore, etc. Now, that feels great to shred all that unnecessary stuff I no longer need to tote around.
The whole cleaning-out phase has been quite liberating and exhilarating too! I love giving stuff away. My dining room table is full of my "trash" that someone will make their "treasure." That makes me happy.
One thing I know for sure: I will never have this much STUFF again! That's a good thing! Amen!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Journey to Simplify
For months now, Gary and I have been talking about "down-sizing" our lives - simplifying, if you will. We've both felt the stress of the crazy-busy world that everyone is living in, but really have wanted to do something about it. That was months ago. God heard our prayers and sent a row-boat with a couple from California on it who want to buy our home. (Yes, our new home, the big house we moved into just 2 years ago.) Now, it might seem odd that we would want to sell a house we just bought two years ago, but not if the other house we had took 15 months to sell! Having gone through an experience like that, it didn't take too long to decide to sell.
The mixed reactions we've gotten have been interesting. Some people completely understand the idea and desire to downsize, get completely out of debt and others seem shocked that we would sell this house.
Gary and I both agreed, it's all God's. Everything we have is God's, not ours. It's not ours to hoard or idolize. I began to wonder if I had idolized this big ole' house. I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud to live in such a beautiful home, but honestly, my heart has changed over the past couple of months. I don't want to think that a house is what brings me any sort of happiness. Surely there is a problem with my flesh if there is any truth to that. I will admit, as I've packed up our belongings this week, it's not been too difficult. The amount of stuff that we've accumulated over the years is ridiculous! The amount of stuff I've given away is ridiculous as well!
I've grown accustomed to buying things because I want them, not because I need them. I have too many pairs of shoes and only two feet....too many blouses and only one body, too many dishes and only one mouth to feed....you get the point? Excess has become the norm for me and God is gently removing excess from my life.
I drove out north of town today and saw the concrete slabs of homes that were burned completely down in fires last year. Nothing left but the concrete. Immediately, I thought of how blessed I am, so very blessed. We have many options of where to live, but currently don't want to buy anything. It feels too rushed, so, we're going to rent for a few months to determine our next move, (no pun intended.)
As God slowly and gently strips away my excess, my load feels lighter. I truly am embracing the beginning of our journey to simplify. I want my load to be lighter, less burdened with "stuff." I know downsizing from 3600 square feet to 1600 square feet will not be easy, but I am up for the challenge. I can look at it two ways: I only have a small 1600 square foot place to live OR I am blessed to have any place to live, with running water, hot and cold, more than enough clothes to last me a lifetime, shoes for days, a large clean comfortable bed to sleep in every night....the list could go on and on....
I will post the details of our journey and keep you informed. I suspect there will be good days and some difficult ones, but one thing I know is this: my load will be much lighter. For that, I am grateful indeed!
Be blessed. . .
The mixed reactions we've gotten have been interesting. Some people completely understand the idea and desire to downsize, get completely out of debt and others seem shocked that we would sell this house.
Gary and I both agreed, it's all God's. Everything we have is God's, not ours. It's not ours to hoard or idolize. I began to wonder if I had idolized this big ole' house. I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud to live in such a beautiful home, but honestly, my heart has changed over the past couple of months. I don't want to think that a house is what brings me any sort of happiness. Surely there is a problem with my flesh if there is any truth to that. I will admit, as I've packed up our belongings this week, it's not been too difficult. The amount of stuff that we've accumulated over the years is ridiculous! The amount of stuff I've given away is ridiculous as well!
I've grown accustomed to buying things because I want them, not because I need them. I have too many pairs of shoes and only two feet....too many blouses and only one body, too many dishes and only one mouth to feed....you get the point? Excess has become the norm for me and God is gently removing excess from my life.
I drove out north of town today and saw the concrete slabs of homes that were burned completely down in fires last year. Nothing left but the concrete. Immediately, I thought of how blessed I am, so very blessed. We have many options of where to live, but currently don't want to buy anything. It feels too rushed, so, we're going to rent for a few months to determine our next move, (no pun intended.)
As God slowly and gently strips away my excess, my load feels lighter. I truly am embracing the beginning of our journey to simplify. I want my load to be lighter, less burdened with "stuff." I know downsizing from 3600 square feet to 1600 square feet will not be easy, but I am up for the challenge. I can look at it two ways: I only have a small 1600 square foot place to live OR I am blessed to have any place to live, with running water, hot and cold, more than enough clothes to last me a lifetime, shoes for days, a large clean comfortable bed to sleep in every night....the list could go on and on....
I will post the details of our journey and keep you informed. I suspect there will be good days and some difficult ones, but one thing I know is this: my load will be much lighter. For that, I am grateful indeed!
Be blessed. . .
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