The Great Purge

From August 24, 2021

The minimalist’s lifestyle was like a dream for a mom of five: no clutter, clear countertops, little mess, and easy organization. I love to organize, but I have a hard time clearing the clutter. Cleaning became basically moving one pile to a spot, and another pile took its place. Can you relate to that? If not, you are amazing!

With every move we made, we have gotten rid of things here & there, but about a year ago, we made THE GREAT PURGE. Yes, we got rid of just about everything we knew we could not take in the fifth wheel. Living the RV life makes for instant minimalism. I haven’t decided yet if I like it or not. And to make matters worse, my parents were downsizing and asking me to take things I didn’t have room for! I have saved a few family antiques that could have dual purpose: such as a butter churn that came down through my mom’s side of the family; it stores some yarn, and it is an end table. Other things were passed on to other family members.

I was continually asking myself, “Is this necessary?” It isn’t easy choosing what is or isn’t necessary to live each day. Memories, craft stuff, favorite things, clothes (we have too many for our little closet!), and so much more: we had to decide what is really important in life.

Even though we have purged a lot, we are in a continued process of downsizing. I may have a place for everything in the camper, but it doesn’t mean those items are always easy to get to. My only solution? Get rid of more stuff! It is so hard.

And my poor carpenter husband! Our ministry is construction based, so he needs his tools. But he has so many! He is still downsizing, because even though he may have made the space, the camper and truck can only handle so much weight.

What is weighing you down? Is it physical stuff that is getting in the way of a better life? Is it stuff from the past that is messing with you spiritually and emotionally? Or perhaps some bad habits or addictions that are not good for you? Hmmm…. I may have some more stuff to weed out!

Remember the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11? Some of those saints had stuff in their lives that could have brought them down, but God used them anyway. He took their messes and brought them to a place where they could bring Him glory. But I want to focus on Hebrews 12 (which comes right after that famous chapter). Verse 1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,…”

We need to get rid of all excess in our lives whether it be physical or emotional so we can run that race, or live out the plan, God has for us. How can we better love or help others? Sometimes stuff can get in the way.

Have you ever seen someone who seems to have it all together? I remember, back in the day, when I was homeschooling the three oldest and had two preschoolers, this one woman in our homeschool group just seemed like she was on top of everything. I wanted to be like her: a godly mom, looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine, putting out a beautiful spread in the Mom’s Room when it was her turn to bring a snack,… You get the idea. Imagine my surprise, when one day, she comes up to me while I was holding the door for her, and she says, “Kim, you amaze me with how you have it all together.” (!!!) I felt frumpy on my best days, and I was always scrambling to get everyone out the door on time. I felt far from “together.”

Trust me, no one has it altogether. Everyone has something that isn’t the way they would like it to be. And whatever that is, helps us to rely on God more.

Even though our GREAT PURGE has taken place, we are continually purging stuff from our lives. It is part of The Journey!