I’m about to show my age, but when I was in college, there was a brief reality show starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie called The Simple Life. It was a ridiculous account of two rich, city girls trading in their socialite lives for a short period of time to go live with simple, country folk. Looking back, I’m not sure if the goal was to make fun of Richie and Hilton or the simple folk, but I can, for sure, tell you that the simple folk were on to something.

About four years ago, we chose the word simplicity as our Word of the Year and it’s amazing how hard you have to fight for it. I’ve come to realize that simplicity isn’t just a year-long word…it’s a lifetime one. Because as soon as you’ve decluttered, you look around and find you’re still surrounded by junk. I’m specifically talking about my home here, but it happens in our day to day lives too.

The year we chose our life-changing word, I was a stressed out, run-ragged, homeschooling mom who was dragging her children out for a class or event every single day. There were gymnastic lessons, music class, a homeschooling co-op, field trips with said co-op, play dates, Bible study groups, and I’m sure more. I know myself well enough to know God didn’t hardwire me for that kind of life. My soul yearned to be at home. I was exhausted the moment we stepped out the door. Each night I dreaded packing lunches or diaper bags for the next day’s event.

I wasn’t a joyful, rested wife, mom, or person. And isn’t that the kind of life Jesus promises us? A life of joy? Peace? His yoke is light? Why were we doing all of these things? What purpose did they serve for us? For our family? God whispered to me that it was okay to let go of the things. Still, I fought. What would people say? Wouldn’t my kids be damaged if they didn’t have some kind of lesson?

But I did slowly let go of the things. And much like the clutter I drop off at my local thrift store, I felt relief as I began taking things off our schedule. I eventually let go of all the things, except church and volunteering and I’m much more joyful for it. I have peace. I am rested….for the most part!

My disclaimer here is God doesn’t create all of us the same. There are those of us that thrive doing all the things. And that’s okay. In fact, that’s awesome! Life would be boring if we were all the same. But to my home-loving friends, we have to be careful not to get too comfortable just being at home. We can’t just close ourselves up at home every day. Our family does have play dates, go to the park or zoo, etc. But the freedom we have to do those things makes all the difference for us.