Keep or Toss?

Preparing to spend 23 months as missionaries focused on the example of Jesus Christ's service to humanity is daunting. 

We are sorta sorting - our routines, habits, and possessions. 

Stuff can be managed incrementally in categories as, each day or two, mail is disposed of or filed, and every month or so used things such as magazines discarded, while yearly planning goals calender when and what to clean, change or renew. But longer storage baffles us somewhat. We see through a different lens. Thank goodness for laws and common sense dictating some details, but ...?

Old medical and tax records, photographs, books, games, videos, memrobilia, files, decor, tools, and even clothing demand scrutiny and decisions. What can go digital? Do I really need to keep my wedding dress - yes!  What about the dried roses from loving bouquets? No! 

Do you craft and want some? 

How long should how much of what be stored? Why? Where? How will factors of privacy, possible insects or vermin, temperatures and humidity be controlled? 

We love our home and routines to reflect the joy of changing seasons and holiday activities. But how much of what is realistic? And for how long? What do we cherish? And to what extent? What might bless the days or life of someone else? 

Abundance can clutter and smother. Sure, decades can gradually pass when we are here to routinely display, rotate, clean and store the comforts and fun of day to day living during the passing of weeks, months, and years but sudden prolonged change compells compounding decisiveness.   

Possessions can own us. Homes, yards, and necessary furnishings require regular upkeep and maintenance. All these plus the enjoyment of learning, music, athletics, art, and other hobbies or passions encumber life with supplies and tools. What is truly needful, desirable, and worthy of physical, financial, and emotional space?

North American society and countries are comparitvely affluent, and despite segments living in homeless or abject poverty, many tend toward lives of ease. 

Digital access allows avoidance of face to face interactions as texting, buying and selling, and even jobs permit insulated isolation to become realities. Electronics with remote and voice control for motor vehicles, home and utility functions of many every day chores may foster indolence. I can order and pay to any location at my convenience and see the delivery arrive via security technology, and language barriers fall to database interpretations. 

We notice our own laziness. When hurried or hungry, buying the readily available instant meals or treats of prepared meats, fruits, vegetables, and desserts gracing the shelves of stores, deli showcases, and restaruant menus allows gratification without investing time or labor. 

What are we willing to labor for? Spend our time, money, emotions, and lives to facililitate or accomplish? 

Luke 10:42 teaches that Mary chose the "one thing [that was] needful." She worshipped and served at the feet of Jesus Christ. Did Martha do less? She served differently and was instructed to not take Mary's choice from her. 

We want to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are willing to spend our time, money, emotional energy, and very lives in the hope that others can learn about the choices the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides. It requires preparation, and labor - labor of all kinds. 

We begin to sorta sort - sort out what "cumbers us" and what we are willing to give or keep to allow a choice like Mary's, of what is most "needful."