When I wrote July’s article on the topic of freedom, I had no idea that I was about to embark on my own process toward a form of unexpected, and at the time unwanted, freedom. Since then, I’ve had a fresh opportunity to walk the talk as I was forced to once again live out every blog post and article I’ve ever written, every topic I’ve ever taught, and every prayer I’ve ever uttered asking God to make me more like Jesus.

My life changed in an instant, and many of the days and weeks that followed were consumed with paralyzing shock, sometimes crippling overwhelm, and layers of previously unimaginable grief. It was a journey, walked moment by moment, while leaning into my place of “enough.” I needed to focus on navigating all that was happening and maintain my sanity in the midst of the storm; thus, my silence for the past few months.

This season required a move from a very full 3,000 square foot home into a lovely but much smaller 1,200 square foot apartment. I only had two days to pack up all my worldly possessions. Things passively accumulated over decades now demanded rapid-fire decision-making…what to keep, what to give to family and friends, what to donate, and what to trash. The word overwhelm doesn’t come close to what I experienced. The purge was real…and real fast. I spent a half century accumulating things, which now I simply could not take with me.

I prioritized keeping only the items which truly add value to my life and which I have recently used. Several carloads of items were donated, dozens of bags of trash, and even several boxes of donation-worthy items ended up in the trash out of sheer exhaustion and lack of time.

I thought about all the money I spent on this stuff and all of the hours I worked to pay for it. Gone.

Two friends were simultaneously in the process of moving their respective parents from their long-term homes into assisted living facilities. They too lamented being inundated by stuff accumulated over the years: items their parents thought would be useful again one day, grow in valuable someday, or be coveted heirloom items. Yet here they were, sifting through a lifetime of stuff and making decisions about what was enough, just like I was.

Some of the stuff was “just in case I ever need it” items. Some were “when I get around to doing this” items. Some were sentimental. Some items were graduate school textbooks that I thought I might refer back to someday. Some were clothes that I realistically won’t ever wear again. All of it was taking up physical and mental space in my life. Oh, there was value in some of the items…just not much value for me anymore.

On the other side of all that madness, I had to ask myself some very pertinent questions:

• If I never got around to using it, was it worth buying?
• If I never got the book read, did I really need to spend the money on?
• What was the cost (financial, mental, storage space) of carrying this inventory of stuff – buying it, storing it, cleaning it, moving it, etc.?
• Is there an underlying fear of lack associated with the accumulation of things or a reticence to part with them?
• Do I own things, or do my things own me?

Jesus taught that we should invest in what moths and rust cannot destroy. Like building authentic relationships, loving one another well, and carrying one another’s burdens. He taught that we should be generous with our time, talents, and treasures to help spread the good news about Him and to help those with fewer financial resources.

Jesus said, “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6: 19-21 CSB) To paraphrase: “you can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.”

The truth is that “moths and rust” do destroy the things of this earth…fashions change, technology advances, and the kids just don’t want those heirloom items.

This process made me evaluate what is truly important. It may sound cliché, but stuff fades and tarnishes. Yet the love that has been poured out to me from my tribe – my family, friends, and church – are treasured gifts that have enriched my soul forever.

In this process, I learned what is really important. I learned who my true friends are and made some precious new friends along the way. I saw the true church – the people who gather together to love Jesus – actually be the church. And I experienced an outpouring of love and support from my family and friends that really healed an unknown hurt. I also found it was good, right, and healthy to end other relationships.

Sometimes you need a significant moment in life to remind you what is truly important. The hard things in life can be the best teachers. Often, we hold too tightly to the things of this world and spend our time, energy and finances on accumulating what cannot last.

As a result, I have gone from all that stuff to a life of ENOUGH! I renewed my commitment to living the Enough Life…not lack or scarcity, but also not wasting resources on accumulating and storing excess. I am pleased to report that on this side of the hardship I am so happy. I’m glad to be free of all that I parted with, and I feel a freedom and peace I haven’t had in decades. My heart is so full…the kind of full that moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal.

Reflection Questions:

• What was the cost (financial, mental, storage space) of carrying the inventory of stuff in your life – buying it, storing it, cleaning it, moving it, etc.? Is it worth it?
• Is there an underlying fear of lack associated with the accumulation of things or a reticence to part with them?
• Do I own things, or do my things own me?
• Do I cherish things more than people?