Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread - Proverbs 30:8

Monday, September 20, 2010

Layers of an Onion

I heard it said before that decluttering, simplifying, minimizing (whatever you want to call it) is like peeling an onion - you peel away one layer at a time. I've been doing this for quite a while (decluttering), and I just got to the layer that makes my eyes tear up. This is the layer that is a little bit uncomfortable.

As we moved our belongings from a 4000 sq foot house into a 2000 sq foot house this weekend, we began to realize it wasn't all going to fit. We were prepared for this, but not at the level we are actually facing.

I know it's just stuff, but some of it holds memories and that's the part that is making me cry a little. I still have the memories - regardless of the item that evokes them. No one can take the memories from me.

I am determined to keep a spacious feel to our home. I do not want every nook and cranny filled with stuff. I do not want to move a set of bowls to get a plate out of my cupboards. As hard as it is, I know this is a good place to be in (the physical house and the state of having to pare down even more). When it feels really hard, I think of the houses I saw in Peru. Going back to those stories and photos puts it all in perspective for me and I'm thankful for the abundance God has blessed us with.

2 comments:

  1. Praying for you on this journey - know that you are inspiring us (read: ME! - David already cleaned out his things) to do the same...

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  2. Jill,

    What a great perspective Peru gives you. We haven't had a developing world experience to help us truly see the truth but we're trying to see it anyway though the pervasive lies and materialism of our culture. Excited for this journey you are on.

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