My Latest Epiphany

This morning I was uploading photos for some presents we are making for Christmas - which gave me lots of time to sit and think while the computer cranked away. Looking at all the pictures (and seeing the random junk!) started my mind down it's usual path regarding decluttering. I often wonder if I want to give away too much - not because it's bad to give away everything one has, but because it's not all MY stuff - I'm trying to give away many things that my family enjoys, for the sake of my sanity.

My epiphany this morning was that God *knows* what I'm like, and he ordained that I would be the mother/chief organizational officer of this family. I've been sensitive and anxiety prone since I was a wee babe! He *knows* I would be in a house a touch too small for us (probably for the long haul, it seems!) and that I absolutely start freaking out when there is too much out. He even blessed me with two older girls, who have taken up my mantra of "we don't NEED this, let's give it away", although they (like me) are horrible about putting what they DO own away (you know the story of the apples not falling far from the tree!).

So I can DROP. THE. GUILT. about having only a minimum of toys or books. This life should be about me getting to heaven, and about me bringing my whole family there with me! If I am having anxiety attacks because the house has gotten out of control, and then yelling at my children, then it is OK, and the greater good, to get rid of more and more. Perhaps God placed me in this family so that I *could* get rid of the bulk of everything because that will be important for something in my children's future.

So I'm going to try hard to drop the guilt about making my children live like poor waifs. They are richly blessed - with family, friends, AND toys (and they STILL have a lot even though it sounds like I've thrown away everything they own, LOL) and I'm a good mom BECAUSE I'm on top of this, not despite it.