Today is my second day of packing. As I sort through everything we have, I am struck by how much we have. When you live in it each day, it doesn't seem like so much. Now that I am trying to decide what stays and what goes, I feel somewhat like a hoarder. Do we actually need all of this? I have been working this last year to prayerfully consider everything new I want to bring into my home. Do I already have something that does the job? Will I really use it? Is it a want or a need? In this world of gadgets and things designed to make our life easier, it can be hard to resist the advertisers. It is an item by item thing and I truly have to ask myself those questions each time I am out shopping. But, it has made a difference.
My mom has spent the last eight months dealing with clutter. Last November her best friend passed away from cancer. My mom, while honored to be the executor of her will, has found out how stressful dismantling someone's estate can be. Her friend was generous beyond belief. She thoughtfully considered each gift she presented. Her friend; however, was a hoarder. As a young child she lived in a poor family, sometimes wanting for food. Consequently, as an adult, she bought too much and stock piled it in every corner of her home. My mom has truly worked tirelessly to find a home for as many items as possible. Many have been blessed by what was left behind. I am included in that - even more stuff came into my home.
The one thing my husband asked in this move was "Can we do it in one trip with one truck, please?" When I look back on our move from Florida to North Carolina I am painfully reminded of the amount of possessions which came with us. Steve drove the largest u-haul and pulled a u-haul trailer behind it. I drove a pick-up truck pulling a boat with both packed to the gills. My mother drove our car full with whatever would fit. It was, honestly, insane! Somehow, in North Carolina we acquired even more stuff. I don't even remember the number of trips we made from that house to this one. With only three and a half hours between the two, we just made trip after trip until it was done.
Looking around now, I am disappointed with myself. I have no excuse for the amount of things we have accumulated. I can't even blame it on my husband. The only thing he has purchased here is a riding lawn mower and a couple of tools. It's all me. Now I have the opportunity to make it right. I have promised him I will contain it to one trip and one truck. Our friends from seminary have been missionaries in China for the past four years. They are returning with very precious little. I can take this opportunity to bless her with beds for her daughter, linens, kitchen items and whatever else they may need. Then I can sell some of the bigger ticket items and apply that to some of our debt.. Other things can be given away to goodwill and friends.
Clutter is a dangerous thing. I think it says something about you when you spend more time, money and energy on your possessions than the world around you. God speaks to us about clutter as well. In Luke He warns us, "Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possiessions". In Acts He tells us "And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need". In 1 John He reminds us, "For all that is in the world - the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world".
Take a moment to look around your home. Do you see clutter? You have a multitude of opportunities with your excess. Start small, closet by closet and drawer by drawer, release yourself from the bondage that comes with acquiring too much stuff.
In His service,
Mally
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