Good grief! Now, mind you, I haven't even STARTED the purge yet, and the last few days, when I read another assignment in my Bible study, it's about purging. I've mentioned before about the need to purge the closet. And no, I haven't gotten to it yet. I am hoping to be motivated enough to start this weekend. The idea is to purge and give away anything that does not fit right now. Seriously? That is the majority of my closet! Ok, it isn't, but although I can think of a few outfits that can definitely go, most may be snug, but if I wear a sweater I can still wear them. Or I can just work on getting rid of the belly so that I don't have to wear a sweater. Novel thought.
Yesterday it was on purging something else, I forget what. Obviously I am doing the reading but not the activity. Today's reading was on purging jewelry and make-up. I actually started on the make-up purge last night and threw away several things that I no longer use. I did! Honestly! Not all, of course, but several things. But my jewelry... wow, I do have so very very very much costume jewelry. My friend sells Avon and over the 20+ years I have known her and we worked together, I frequently bought jewelry. Now I do have a few good pieces, that are treasured pieces, and I do wear them frequently. Those will NOT be going anywhere.
A couple years ago - wow, maybe even longer than that - I pulled out a bunch of jewelry and had a granddaughter sort it out and we put earring pairs and necklace and earring pairs in 'snack' bags so that they would be together. I allowed that granddaughter to take what she wanted and I think she took 7-8 pieces. Never have seen her wear them, but she took them. And I still had a box full. And I know that I have a lot more that have not been sorted out. Groan. I know I need to focus and get it done. Once I do, I will ask my granddaughters if they want any of them, and if not - I will find a place that I can donate them to women who are getting back into the workplace.
The thing with the jewelry, is that I did wear a lot of it - frequently - when I was in the office. I could pull out an 'old' piece of jewelry and people would think it was new. But, with not going to the office, I rarely even put earrings on - unless we are going somewhere. And most times I will forget since I am so used to not wearing any jewelry, except my wedding ring.
So that is the next project I've been assigned. Haven't started the first one yet. UGH. I did purge my pantry of things a couple months ago, does that count? I frequently purge the refrigerator. But my closet? My jewelry? My makeup? Now the author is meddling in MY stuff!
But why do I hang on to them? Do I really need to hang on to that t-shirt that was given to me by a son or daughter that I've worn frequently but it is getting faded, and perhaps stained, and yet, I think of them every time I put it on? Or see it because I can't wear it out of the house? You know, those t-shirts we just can't let go of because it was given by someone you love, or perhaps it belonged to someone we love. Guilty. I have a sweatshirt jacket that belonged to my mother. Confession. When I am really sad and missing my mama, and it's chilly out, I will pull it out of the closet and put it on. I'm sorry, but I will absolutely refuse to give it up. I'm just not ready to let go of it. Unless I see someone needs it, and I will willingly give it to them. Because that is what my mama would want me to do. And, I also have a couple t-shirts that are NOT the correct size and are way too big for me. Never got around to returning them... and they are still hanging in my closet. I suppose I COULD let them go....
What would be the positive in all this purging? I would feel less cluttered inside, because the clutter around me would be gone. It is a constant processing, for sure. My room in here looks a bit better now that I have the gifts out of here and under the tree. I think I have one more 'batch' of gifts due to arrive today or tomorrow - and then I think I am done with all my shopping. Unless I see something more to get for hubby. And I need to pick up stocking stuffers - but that is easily done in a trip to the store. I have a box of 'non-Christmas' gifts and breads to send to my sister today.... I need to finish a box to my in-laws to ship out in a week or so, and possibly a granddaughter's box who lives in another state. But the majority of my shopping is done - 99.9% was done online.
The positive will also be I will know where things are when I go look for them! I'm actually wishing I didn't have to work today so that I could begin the purging. I'm hoping the purge mood will last at least until the weekend. Friday I am working - by choice - although my bosses aren't. I think my one boss is, and we'll probably touch base, but we both agree we are just saving a vacation day by working. I'll be able to do some other things during the day, and just keep on the computer as well.
Ah..... do you recognize the rambling again? I'm getting pretty good at that, aren't I? I wasn't even meaning to write today. But the talk about the purging in my study today made me just want to 'verbalize' my opinion on it. You know, work through the process 'out loud'. It sometimes helps when I can share my thoughts. If I tried sharing with hubby it would not work. He would proceed to tell me what to do - get rid of it! I don't want that. I would just pack it back away. Don't tell me what to do! It's mine! I'll do with it what I want! LOL
All this purging can apply to us internally, as well as externally.
I Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
Interesting. I had to check a couple other versions of that verse. Leaven is yeast, and what we are encouraged to do is not let the old stuff ruin what is being made. We are made new in Christ. The old is gone. What happened in the past cannot be changed. We can only change what the future could be. I'm thinking of starting some new things.... letting go of the past and holding on to the what the future can be. It won't be easy, and yet, it is another type of purging.
Hold on.... God isn't finishing purging each of us. I have a feeling He is going to be purging a lot of things this season. Be ready to let go. Deep breath! With His help, we've got this!
Blessings!
