A few months ago, I shared the heartfelt tale of losing my engagement ring and the overwhelming joy I experienced upon its rediscovery. Fast-forward to today, and we find ourselves immersed in the excitement of planning our upcoming wedding this month and navigating the intricate process of merging two households into one. This means diving deep into my personal belongings — deciding what treasures to bring into our new life together, what to donate, and what to part with forever.
Let’s be honest here. I once believed I was the epitome of minimalism. My living room is, for lack of a better term, sparse. It’s devoid of excessive furnishings, décor, or accessories. And I took pride in that simplicity. However, my drawers, closets, and storage areas tell a different story. They are overflowing with an astonishing array of make-up, toiletries, tote bags, notebooks, greeting cards, gift bags, Christmas decorations, and more. Remarkably, no one has tipped off the hoarder hotline. Not yet, anyway.
As I sift through my belongings every night, several bible verses come to mind: Luke 12:15, which states, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” The advice from Matthew 6:19-21 about not storing treasures on Earth becomes quite challenging when deciding which of my dresses or purses to part with. Yet, it is a continuous journey of self-discovery and growth.
What did I learn from all this? I discovered that God, in His grace and mercy, had a purpose for not wanting us to store up treasures here on Earth. I realized I need to be mindful of what I am accumulating because it could eventually take away from spending time with and serving Him.
Through my ‘weeding out’ process, I have also realized why God does not intend to make this our permanent residence. Our true home is always with Him. But I also believe He encourages me to embrace the joy of releasing what no longer serves us and to be excited for the beautiful moments that await us, such as our upcoming wedding this month — a celebration of love, hope, and new beginnings.