The Spirituality of Letting Go: Downsizing in Mid-Summer

There’s something about summer that invites us to breathe a little deeper, move a little slower, and—if you’re like me—maybe even clean out the attic. Recently, I’ve been in the process of downsizing, and I must admit, it’s been as much a spiritual journey as a logistical one. Who knew sorting through old mugs, high school yearbooks, and tangled-up cords from long-forgotten electronics could stir such deep thoughts?

Downsizing, it turns out, isn’t just about making space in the house. It’s about making space in the soul.

Some items are easy to part with (why do I have three fondue pots?). Others hold meaning, even if I’m not quite sure why. A dusty stack of greeting cards. A jacket I haven’t worn in ten years but feel oddly loyal to. Letting go is complicated. But it’s also freeing. As Marie Kondo famously asks, “Does it spark joy?” If not, thank it and release it.

When we lighten our load, something remarkable happens. We begin to see more clearly what really matters—not the stuff that fills our closets, but the stories, the people, and the grace that fills our lives. It’s not about becoming ascetic hermits (unless you’re feeling especially monastic). It’s about honoring the season we’re in, and recognizing that every item we release is an act of trust. We trust that memories don’t live in objects; they live in us. And we trust that a less cluttered home might just make room for a more spacious spirit.

So if you find yourself hauling boxes to Goodwill this summer, or finally opening that drawer marked “miscellaneous,” know that you’re not alone. You’re engaging in a sacred practice of simplicity, clarity, and renewal.

And when it’s all done, may you kick off your shoes, pour a glass of iced tea, and enjoy the peace that comes from having just a little less… and maybe even a little more.

Grace and lemonade,

Pastor Steve