Strategic Downsizing

The need to downsize is a recurring theme as we get older.

“Our kids won’t want our stuff.”

What’s worth keeping, and what should we toss?

While advancing years should be incentive to wake up the minimalist inside of us, it’s a tough battle for many. Tossing past mementos can feel like we’re slowly dying and snipping ties to our personal and family history.

I’m sure you’ve heard decluttering advice, encouraging separate piles to keep, sell, giveaway or toss.

Let’s turn our attention for a moment from the pain of loss to the question of: Who might benefit from some of our treasures currently sitting idle?

Judy serves as a chaplain at Brookdale Assisted Living in Scotts Valley, California. At a recent devotional, one lady lamented that there were no Christian books in Brookdale’s library. After discussion with Brookdale staff, that passing comment led to a book drive through our church’s women’s Bible study, yielding over a hundred Christian books, both nonfiction and fiction. A God-ordained upsizing match for our downsizing!

Perhaps a similar need exists at assisted living facilities in your community? 

Adopting a mindset of becoming more effective stewards of our belongings can be freeing and energizing. And the act of giving while living carries more meaning for the giver and recipient.

Jesus’ directive from Matthew 6 (KJV):

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

May the Lord direct us to some strategic downsizing solutions—helping others, creating more space and freeing our kids or others from having to rummage through too much stuff when we’re gone.