Chaos And Clutter

Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

FOR YEARS, I didn’t know where to start. And I was already behind. From the moment I opened my eyes, my mind was flooded with chaos, my schedule was over-the-top crazy, and my house was brimming with clutter. Good morning to me.

So many of us just accept a state of chaos. Being calm, cool, and collected seems like a fairy tale—about as attainable as turning a toad into a prince. Our schedules are overpacked, drawers are overstuffed, and bodies are overanxious.

It never occurred to me until I read Emily Ley’s book A Simplified Life just how much control I have over my chaos. No one else is bringing toys or clothes into my home. I am. No one is setting my schedule. I do. No one is forming my thought life. I am. And I can decide to have less of it all.

I craved change in three areas: my home, my schedule, and my mind. So I got after it with one simple weapon: the garbage bag. Who knew a plastic bag could hold so much power? I took it and went from room to room, removing duplicate jars of spices and unused toys, books, movies, and clothes. I repeated this practice over a course of weeks and felt the gift of less. My children also spent an afternoon choosing their eight favorite outfits for each season. We then gave away the rest. This eliminated the stressful clothing choices each morning and reduced our laundry loads significantly. Our morning routines have been much smoother since.

Next, I sat down at my computer and surveyed my family’s schedule, asking what needs to stay and what needs to go. It’s freeing to realize that we can decide how we spend our time. With some things taking a back seat, our family is running to fewer places, and our souls have felt the much-needed margin.

Lastly, I thought about simplifying my soul. When it comes to soul care, Jesus boils it down to the essentials and simplifies what we should seek after:

“Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.” This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: “Love others as well as you love yourself.” These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.

Matthew 22:37-40, MSG

I often complicate my soul by worrying if I am doing the right things, checking the right spiritual boxes, and saving the world. Turns out I am not the savior. And only one thing is asked of us, two if we want to get crazy: Love God. Love others. That’s it. The simplicity of these two pegs gives me breathing room and soul space. It doesn’t have to be complex. Jesus didn’t come to make things harder. He came to set us free. And that looks amazing on us.

Let’s allow our Savior to simplify our souls.

GRACE REFLECTION: Pray with me, “Jesus, I need You to take care of my soul. Help me to simplify how I see You and Your commands. Show me how to live a life where peace is from You and chaos is at bay. Amen.”