What I Need

"For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." (1 John 2:16, ESV)

The painful process of trying to buy a home through a short sale has finally taught me something! I retract that - I have actually learned a lot over the past four months. I've learned to sympathize with my clients. I've learned to accept help (still working on learning to ask for it). I've learned to worry less, I think.

But today, after a few long days of intense decluttering and preparation for downsizing, as I ate what little food was left in my fridge, I realized something I never have felt so vividly before: What I really need is pretty minimal.

I had mentally prepared for downsizing from 1700 sqft with a two car garage to 1200 sqft with a 1+ car garage. When that move was continually delayed I had to downsize even more, to less than 1000 sqft with no garage. I realized I'd have to only take what I really need and the rest would go to storage.

As I began to sort through my boxes I was amazed at how little I classified as a necessity: clothes, some linens, toiletries, food, some toys for the kids, and not a lot more. So why have I been wasting so much energy on the other items that I owned?

And why, even though I didn't need them, was I still holding on to them? I found myself answering that question a myriad of ways. Like, "I already have it; I might as well keep it." Or, "It's valuable even though I don't need it." The answer that I thought the most, "Sentimental value." It was like I thought throwing away an old doll would insult my parents or discredit my childhood.

Who am I fooling? This stuff is meaningless. It drains me of my energy and resources to retain it. And worst of all, it tells me that which I value is here on earth instead of where it should be. I have been so greatly distracted by this world.