A Pack Rats Journey to Simplify!

I almost don't want to say this because I am afraid that I will fail.

But here it goes...I want to simplify.

I want to be able to sit and enjoy beauty without a cluttered mind. I want to declutter physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally so that I can be the woman God has called me to be. I want to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for me.

There are so many things swarming around in my head non-stop. So much so, that Craig said to me one day, "I would hate to live in your brain!" In which I replied, "Yes, you don't ever want to go there. It's scary!"

But when I see rolling hills and green pastures, something happens to my soul. I take a deep breath and then I let out a big exhale. It is like I have just released all the toxic thoughts and all other toxins out of my body.

For those of you who don't know, we bought a mini farm. We aren't actually living there yet. The house is being renovated so it will be four(ish) months before we can actually move in the house but we visit often to work and check on renovations.

For now, we are in an airbnb for two months. After that, we will move to a camper on the property for the last two months. Hence, what perpetuated my journey to simplify.

When we moved out of our house last week and moved our things to store in a POD, I was overwhelmed by the amount of junk we had accumulated. Y'all it was multiplying like rabbits. We had it piled in every nook and cranny. I kid you not, I came across some of my children's baby teeth that I had saved. Seriously. Why did I think I needed to save those. Gross. Also, I think I counted about 4 or 5 old computers and about the same amount of old phones. I came across a bag that was tucked under my sons bed. When I opened it, it had stocking stuffers in it. Unopened! From two Christmas's ago!! What in the world!

Y'all, why do we accumulate so much stuff?!

Then, in my quiet time the next morning I read this..."As some church historians have pointed out, every few hundred years the church gets cluttered by and infected with the materialism and militarism of the world around it. We begin to forget who we are. One bishop said, 'And so every five hundred years or so the church needs a rummage sale,' to get rid of the clutter and to remember the true treasure of our faith." (Common Prayer, A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals.)

Declutter! Remember the true treasure of our faith!

Back to the basics. Back to the essentials. Back to the heart of the gospel. Back to the heart of God. That is where I want to be.

Does it mean I have to throw away all my colored pens, journals, bags, and books?!?! Maybe not. Maybe I just need to scale down. Lord knows I like me some pens and journals.

It doesn't mean we get rid of everything. It is just a good reminder to stop and take inventory of what we are accumulating physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We need to let some things go! Simplify!

There is a lot more I would like to share about simplifying but I will save that for another day. Today, be inspired to find your favorite spot in God's creation and sit and listen to what He might be calling you to get rid of.