Spring is well in the air! The birds are back and singing up a storm, the tulips are blooming, everything is lush and green (Kyle has even had to cut the grass a few times) and the tornado practice siren is going off very Friday at noon. We have also had what I would call a tornado practice siren 'kick-off' earlier in the spring that happens once, mid-week, and it goes on and on. So if it catches you off guard, you might think one is coming. (Happened to us.) Another siren goes off too, but only I hear it in our mind. It's the spring cleaning alarm that tells me it's time for
THE GREAT PURGE.
The Great Purge is my way of getting rid of the 'stuff' that we accumulate over the winter, particularly because of the biggest commercial holiday ever that occurs in its midst. My husband cringes at The Great Purge partly because his collection of t-shirts almost always comes under fire, but mostly because this event used to start with a four page list of 'to-do's' detailing the process. Ok, you're going to think I'm crazy here, but I when you finish reading this you'll understand my heart in doing what I do (did). I would write all the rooms in our house down and the then write a list of cleaning needs (wash curtains, sweep behind couch, yada yada) under each and include areas that needed purging ('purge closet', 'purge junk drawer', 'purge pantry'). I know, I know, crazy. I did used to have a different blog titled the Maniacal Organizer. Yep. Maniacal. There was a reason. Basically, I wanted to get rid of anything we weren't using and clean what was left.
Well, I used to do that. Then I had my second child, and to my husband's relief, I let go of the list. BUT, I do still purge. I do it more now as I go (with maybe a little more of a concentrated effort in the spring and fall- spring to clean, fall to prepare for the onslaught of stuff at Christmastime.)
You see, it seems I always have two places on my heart (other than Iowa and Pennsylvania, and maybe Chicago when I'm hungry). I think a lot about Haiti and Rome, particularly when it comes to material possessions. Strange combo, huh? I think you'll know why Haiti if you've been reading at all. Both of these places hold my heart in ways I am surprised by. They also hold my curiosity because of that- I wonder what God will do....
The recent earthquake in Nepal was devastating and my heart aches for them in the same way I do for many that suffer that way. It made me think of the first time I thought about Haiti, when they were hit with an terrible earthquake in 2010. Watching it on the news, I was compelled in a way I haven't been before, or again, to go and immediately if possible. The door opened and I went. And I went again and again. And now, after 3 years and 2 babies, drawn by my experiences there and the relationships we formed with the missionaries, we are going again. It's funny when you look back at life and realize that God is orchestrating the details. What made me want to go to Haiti? Why do I not feel as compelled to run off to Nepal? My only explanation is that God had that all planned.
On the other hand, I have never been to Rome. Never even been to Europe in general. I know two wonderful people who are missionaries there. They once came to our church in Pennsylvania and showed a video of their work, of inviting people into their home to learn about the hope of Jesus and ministering to women on the streets.
The Great Purge is my way of getting rid of the 'stuff' that we accumulate over the winter, particularly because of the biggest commercial holiday ever that occurs in its midst. My husband cringes at The Great Purge partly because his collection of t-shirts almost always comes under fire, but mostly because this event used to start with a four page list of 'to-do's' detailing the process. Ok, you're going to think I'm crazy here, but I when you finish reading this you'll understand my heart in doing what I do (did). I would write all the rooms in our house down and the then write a list of cleaning needs (wash curtains, sweep behind couch, yada yada) under each and include areas that needed purging ('purge closet', 'purge junk drawer', 'purge pantry'). I know, I know, crazy. I did used to have a different blog titled the Maniacal Organizer. Yep. Maniacal. There was a reason. Basically, I wanted to get rid of anything we weren't using and clean what was left.
Well, I used to do that. Then I had my second child, and to my husband's relief, I let go of the list. BUT, I do still purge. I do it more now as I go (with maybe a little more of a concentrated effort in the spring and fall- spring to clean, fall to prepare for the onslaught of stuff at Christmastime.)
You see, it seems I always have two places on my heart (other than Iowa and Pennsylvania, and maybe Chicago when I'm hungry). I think a lot about Haiti and Rome, particularly when it comes to material possessions. Strange combo, huh? I think you'll know why Haiti if you've been reading at all. Both of these places hold my heart in ways I am surprised by. They also hold my curiosity because of that- I wonder what God will do....
The recent earthquake in Nepal was devastating and my heart aches for them in the same way I do for many that suffer that way. It made me think of the first time I thought about Haiti, when they were hit with an terrible earthquake in 2010. Watching it on the news, I was compelled in a way I haven't been before, or again, to go and immediately if possible. The door opened and I went. And I went again and again. And now, after 3 years and 2 babies, drawn by my experiences there and the relationships we formed with the missionaries, we are going again. It's funny when you look back at life and realize that God is orchestrating the details. What made me want to go to Haiti? Why do I not feel as compelled to run off to Nepal? My only explanation is that God had that all planned.
On the other hand, I have never been to Rome. Never even been to Europe in general. I know two wonderful people who are missionaries there. They once came to our church in Pennsylvania and showed a video of their work, of inviting people into their home to learn about the hope of Jesus and ministering to women on the streets.
There was that feeling again.
That compulsion to go.
We played with the idea of joining the work there with ReachGlobal before coming to Iowa. Even started the application process. But there was a gentle whisper saying the timing wasn't right. God's leading took us to Atlantic instead (a training ground perhaps?) Does all that seem too emotional? All this talk of feelings and compulsion really sounds like Rome is just a pipe dream. All I can say to that, is that I have never felt compelled to serve in Japan, or Thailand (two very cool places) or Yemen or Cote d'ivoire (two very bold mission fields), but I know people in each of those places that have felt that. So there is a very real possiblity that God might lead us to Rome someday.
Anyways, my 'stuff'. Seeing and knowing what my friends in Haiti live without and what many people around the world do not have, sometimes makes me cringe at my belongings. It makes me want to live with less. Knowing God may also call us to live as full time missionaries in Rome also makes me think that process will be a lot simpler if we don't have so much stuff. We've moved once (from a smaller house) and I wish we had gotten rid of more before we packed it all up! Imagine moving across the ocean?
Anyways, my 'stuff'. Seeing and knowing what my friends in Haiti live without and what many people around the world do not have, sometimes makes me cringe at my belongings. It makes me want to live with less. Knowing God may also call us to live as full time missionaries in Rome also makes me think that process will be a lot simpler if we don't have so much stuff. We've moved once (from a smaller house) and I wish we had gotten rid of more before we packed it all up! Imagine moving across the ocean?
We have a plaque in our home that (Kyle thinks it's cheesy, and it might be, but still it inspires me) says, "Live simply so that others may simply live." When I know there are others in the world that are barely surviving, I am moved to live way more simply. It helps keep perspective on that next "thing" I want to purchase. And I try to sell, or give away stuff, so I learn to live with less. So The Great Purge.
What keeps from diving head-long into selfishness and greed is that tension, but how I desire to dive head-long into selflessness and generosity!
Sometimes though I lose perspective, even in the middle of getting rid of things! "I really like this....Maybe I'll just hold on to this....Might I'll be able to use this later...." Or, I begin thinking of all the things I want to buy because I think I NEED them. Let me tell you, there's not much that I NEED. But this is the problem. I feel like I'm living in dual worlds, where I am confronted by the darkness, hurt and need around me, but sucked in by a lust for things (even good things). What keeps me from diving head-long into selfishness and greed is that tension, but how I desire to dive head-long into selflessness and generosity!
My little girls are just at the age where they are beginning to fight over toys. Mostly it's the older daughter who constantly snatches things from her baby sister (who wants to touch EVERYTHING and has no concept of yours and mine.) "MINE!" often proceeds out of her mouth. I confront this in two ways: the toy is completely removed from anyone's possession (if you can't place nice, and share, then you can't play at all) and more importantly, I think, I try to explain to my oldest that her relationship with her sister is more important than said toy. My brothers and sisters around the world are more important than my "toys" too and so with Rome and Haiti on my mind, I am learning to live more simply.