We've seen a lot of peaks and valleys this week as we actually go through our belongings and put prices on them. Some of our things have a lot of sentimental value for me. Others, I just have a hard time imagining life without. In the midst of it, the Lord has been pressing on my heart the truth of his word, reminding me that he is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to his children. Some moments, I'll look at something and think, I'm going to need that every day, why are we selling it? Then, I'm reminded that I only THINK I need it, and that if I truly do, the Lord will provide it for me. I'm really seeing the truth about how little I believe his word, then soon after, he gives me grace to believe it more.
It also helps to think about the reality of those in God's kingdom who have never had a bed, but have always slept on a mat on the floor. At least we'll be keeping our pillows and blankets.
And I think about families who have always eaten while sitting on the floor, and their children simply learn to stay put until dinner is done. None of what we'll be experiencing is new, or terrible, just new to us. It will be an adjustment, but God will give us grace.
One thing I hope my heart will be purged of is the subtle notion that happiness, tradition, family memories, all require lots of possessions and money.

Lord, help me to press hard into you during this time, knowing that you bore my sins on the cross, so that I might die to sin and live to righteousness - You are all the happiness I need, the only true and lasting happiness there is!

Please pray for us that we truly would have discernment about what we should keep - our pile of things to hold onto is getting bigger, and we'll be going through it repeatedly, removing things that our hearts are clinging to unnecessarily.
And please continue to pray earnestly that the Lord would send people to our sale this weekend, and that everything would go!