The following is part of a series being transferred from an old blog. I really think transferring this series is important part of our story which chronicles our debt-free, minimalist journey. Enjoy!
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January 19, 2014
This past couple of weeks we have been packing up the kids room and getting rid of a ton of stuff. I had them watch some of this video on SMALL HOUSE living. I told them we are simplifying and then jokingly, I said, "Now choose 100 items you are going to keep!"
They did not get upset, but dutifully went about deciding which 100 items they were going to keep. We have taken out bag, after bag, of giveaway items and stuff to sell. This could be a very difficult time for my husband being the head of our home and provider. He is Mr. Steady and since we have been married he has always had a steady job and for the past 14 years his job paid very, very, well. We have lived very comfortably. He has now been out of work for over a year from a work incident and lives in chronic pain. He has always been capable of bringing in an income as he is literally a "jack of all trades". I always joke that there is nothing he can not build or fix. He is the guy EVERYBODY calls to fix things for them or at least he used to be. With his injury he is now limited to what he can do. The Mr. Steady types do not like to rock the boat and this has been a year of rocking. Things can get mentally weighty for him when he ponders our family's future, but I keep encouraging him. I told him yesterday, "I love FRESH starts!" They do not scare me a bit. I am ready to leave it all behind. I am ready to trust YHWH! I get so excited about starting from scratch, because I know it is in moments like this, we really get to view our Lord move and that excites me! I am ready to leave STUFF behind. Belongings bring responsibility and they are a time stealer. My son shared his Rhema (living word) from scripture yesterday that explained it best.
The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. Proverbs 18:23
My son said, "Do you know why the rich man answers roughly and the poor man kindly?" He said, "Because the rich man only cares about things and his possessions and he values them more than relationships, so he answers roughly." We all really agreed that was a hidden treasure for the morning. Rich people or people who have much rely on their finances to save their day, they value their possessions more than people.
Daddy and 3 of his boys
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