A Change

So, it's been quite some time since my last blog. Life hasn't been any busier than usual; there's no "usual" excuse. Really, it comes down to this: I'm not enjoying my long-desired 1928 version of The Book of Common Prayer. It's confusing (sometimes it appears as if I'm just supposed to read one verse, and many times that one verse, out of context, doesn't make any sense), it's demanding (morning and evening readings), and it doesn't seem to be following any coherent path. And here's the thing, this preparation for Lent has been tough for me. I feel as if I'm running smack dab into a wall that has been far off in the distance for some time now. Meaning, I know God has been asking me to slow down and relinquish control for some time now. And that call has hit my readings too--focus on one thing, sit in something for awhile, read through a concept instead of just reading through.

The Book of Common Prayer is great--don't get me wrong. I would recommend it to anyone that needs direction, ideas, a pattern to follow. But for now, I think I'm going to put it aside. [Add "edit blog" to list of things to do today.] Before I made the decision to blog about my readings, I considered putting together my own daily readings--making sure they tied together in some way and dived into sections of the Bible the BCP seems to shy away from. Characteristically, this may be biting off more than I can chew. But I do want to begin the process.

And so, once again, this blog is shifting focus...still "tuning this life" (because it is so very out of tune sometimes), but changing the process. More to come later...

So here it is: the day after Christmas. A house destroyed. A car packed with gifts in the driveway. An exhausted child. Today, I want to tear down Christmas decorations; I have this intense desire to purge. Too much stuff! I feel as if we're bursting at the seams. And, as always, I want to do it all at once. THIS is housekeeping--and rather than being tied to gender roles, it's a basic human requirement. And so, today, I'm challenging myself to implement the following:

1. The pantry: I choose to buy food simply because it's on sale or it looks interesting or it might be good and the result is a pantry full of unused items. While it might be used eventually, I plan to only buy food that will be used within two weeks and fits with in a plan to use it. We don't eat random bits; we eat meals.

2. Intentional donations: Rather than bagging up loads of clothes and unwanted items and dumping them off at a random collection site, I want to donate intentionally. There are men's shelters who could really use Cory's older work clothes and suits from long ago. I'll solve some of the pantry issues by donating to a soup kitchen or food pantry in town.

3. Toys, toys and more toys: Right now, I'm unpacking from Christmas trips to grandparents' houses. Luke received a lot of practical things (clothes) and books (which are always welcome); but, it does seem as if he has more and more stuff--just like his parents. Today, I plan to buy (oops--another "thing") a big tub for half his toys. Each month, we'll cycle through some toys--preventing boredom AND over-stimulation.

4. Sharing: We have loads of things we no longer need. As we find items that can still be put to good use (like our bedroom TV)--I'll email friends and family and share with the first taker. Anyone need a casserole dish?

5. Put it back on the shelf: Just in the past 2 hours, I've put away six-yes, SIX, tubes of chapstick. But yet, when I check out at Target, I inevitably grab a pack "just in case." I must organize our house so that we know what we have and what we need. And then, I must not purchase items I'm not absolutely assured we require.


I'm hoping to reframe the way I think about running our house. The ironic thing in all of this is that neither my husband nor I are hoarders. We get rid of things on a regular basis and hate clutter. But I think we're both adjusting to three people living under one roof with a very generous family! And most of all, I underestimate the emotional toll too much stuff has on all of us. I want our family life and environment to be streamlined, orderly, and full of room to breathe.