I am in the process of packing for a move. Dave and I are down-sizing to less than half the size and it is quite the process not only logistically, but emotionally. As is true so often, God is providing a huge life lesson as I sift and sort through the stuff of my life.

The move is the final card in a whole series of poor choices going back about four years when we purchased a home (at the peak of the market) without selling the one we were in. Yep, though our neighbor sold their home in three days, by the time we put ours on the market the peak was over. We tried renting, our savings depleted, and we were holding on by a thread. After two short sales, and a feast of crow, we are out of the financial vice and into a lovely little town home.

That's the short version, but after sorting through cabinets, closets, and dust bunnies, it occurred to me that this was yet another burden. The big beautiful house that others would envy, never felt like anything but a reminder of our stupid decisions. Now the boxes and boxes of junk are yet another load to bear. I had duplicates of so many little things and memorabilia that no one ever looked at. I realized all this stuff would one day pass to my children as a burden they would ulitmately have to wade through.

So the first time around I started a small yard sale pile. Then God continued to nudge me, keep going. "There is much here that others could use that would lighted your load"--the yard sale pile got bigger. Now I'm about half way through the move and still there is nudging. Yesterday, I threw away the boxed of memorabilia. I took out a few special items and all the rest of my girl's kindergarden papers and old scraps went in the trash. I was freeing as I realized I would much rather spend time with my girls than manage their papers.

I see now how too much stuff can own you. I want to focus more on people than on stuff. Americans think they have to have everything at their fingertips. I was going through the kitchen and found a bundt pan, I never us it and if that one day comes, I can borrow one from a friend--out the pan went into the yard sale pile and lighter and lighter I feel. Of course there is still more to do, so I better get busy. I'm going to keep sifting until only God's best remains. Then I can focus on what's really important--the people in my life!!