Friday
May262006
The Bearable Lightness of Things
Bernie Anderson
The past several days have been spent going through everything we own and placing them into one of three catagories:
1. Pack it
2. Store it
3. Get rid of it anyway that we can.
It has been an arduous process - and we're still not finished. However, there is a freedom that comes from the discipline of limiting life to 15 boxes and 8 suitcases. It is sobering to realize how quickly things accumulate - and how little of this mass of accumulation that we really need. Renee' has been saying that material things feel like a leaded dental xray apron. As we begin to get rid of things, it is very much like the lifting of that apron. The weight is off. Breathing becomes easier. There is something about walking into simplicity that makes life more bearable; less complication is better - and the race to accumulate things really does tend to make life comlicated. Lift the apron - I am happy to have the lead off my chest. Although I am weary of yardsales and packing and deciding what to do with tiny little items, I am happy to be loose some poundage and to simplify. We can not go to Mongolia with a lot of weight. The writer of Hebrews tells us to "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles." This tells me that things don't have to be sinful. (The verse very clearly differentiates between mere 'weight' and that which is 'sinful and entangling'. I think it's an important differentiation to make.) But things can be quite heavy and make running the race set before us difficult, if not impossible. Lay it down we must, because it's about the running not the accumulation of goods - however good they may be. (See Hebrews 12:1-6)
Ralph Trainer spoke some wonderfully encouraging words at our Commissioning service last Sunday. You can hear his message here. You can read his introductory words here.
My previous blog can be found here. You can read a little about our life before this road to Mongolia, if you're interested.
Welcome to our website - and to our Journey.
1. Pack it
2. Store it
3. Get rid of it anyway that we can.
It has been an arduous process - and we're still not finished. However, there is a freedom that comes from the discipline of limiting life to 15 boxes and 8 suitcases. It is sobering to realize how quickly things accumulate - and how little of this mass of accumulation that we really need. Renee' has been saying that material things feel like a leaded dental xray apron. As we begin to get rid of things, it is very much like the lifting of that apron. The weight is off. Breathing becomes easier. There is something about walking into simplicity that makes life more bearable; less complication is better - and the race to accumulate things really does tend to make life comlicated. Lift the apron - I am happy to have the lead off my chest. Although I am weary of yardsales and packing and deciding what to do with tiny little items, I am happy to be loose some poundage and to simplify. We can not go to Mongolia with a lot of weight. The writer of Hebrews tells us to "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles." This tells me that things don't have to be sinful. (The verse very clearly differentiates between mere 'weight' and that which is 'sinful and entangling'. I think it's an important differentiation to make.) But things can be quite heavy and make running the race set before us difficult, if not impossible. Lay it down we must, because it's about the running not the accumulation of goods - however good they may be. (See Hebrews 12:1-6)
Ralph Trainer spoke some wonderfully encouraging words at our Commissioning service last Sunday. You can hear his message here. You can read his introductory words here.
My previous blog can be found here. You can read a little about our life before this road to Mongolia, if you're interested.
Welcome to our website - and to our Journey.
Reader Comments (4)
We just bought gerbils and I was excited to learn they originate from Mongolia! I don't know that I can talk my kids into naming them after you guys :-) but I will use the opportunity to share with my kids the sense of mission as we enjoy watching our little critters.
Oh, and I forgot to say I'm so impressed with your transition into lightness of being! Something I have longed for and procrastinated on for many many years. I will receive your inspiration as I go down into my basement!!!
Ha - we are in the process of finding a home for our two gerbils. If only we had known ... :)
Bernie- I am so excited for your up coming adventure. We are praying for you guys.