My lesson today in my study really hits home. The title of this day's reading is 'Give away everything you can'. Wait! What? Give away everything I can? But I like all my 'stuff'! I might need it sometime, or someone else will need it some time, so don't I need to hang on to everything 'just in case' so that I can be the 'knight in shining armor' to give to them?
I know, I've talked about this topic several times the past few years. Even now, sitting here in this room I feel enclosed. I have on my left a bookcase (full of books, notebooks, papers, etc.), then I have my work desk with the computer, monitor, and papers, etc. stacked on it. Then there is that picture still on the floor, still waiting to be hung up - whenever I find a place to put it. Then there is a chest of drawers that I keep my clothes in for convenience (I also have the dresser back in the master bedroom, but it has now become a storage unit). Then in the corner is a large stack of wrapped Christmas gifts. Then a nightstand with books and things stacked on it. Then the bed - and do I even need to go there - which is totally covered with Christmas stuff to be wrapped, wrapping paper, etc. - then another night stand with books and things stacked on it. In the corner is my prayer corner.... which I can't get to because my weight bench is in the way, along with my weights. But I can't use it becaues all around the weight bench are Christmas gifts that are wrapped, and a blow-up bed I am supposed to ship to my older sister. Then here on my right is another table with a lamp so that I can see to read or writem, here next to my chair. Do I feel cluttered in this room? Absolutely! So as I look around, what would help clear it out?
Well, I've already started taking wrapped Christmas gifts to the garage and stack out there. But I don't have room for these yet. I'm working on all that is laying on top of the bed. UGH. I have no clue how to get rid of this 'stuff'! But I shall persist.
John (the Baptist) answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same....."
(Jesus said) "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 3:11: 6:38
Although we think we are happier with all the things that we have - how often do we use it? The key to minimizing clutter and keeping an orderly home is a resolute commitment to give away everything you can. Give, give, give - give until it hurts. And because sometimes it hurts, you will think twice about accumulating next time. Go through your house room by room and see what you can get rid of. Give it away - of course if you have a financial need, have a yard sale or sale on ebay or Craig's list. But let it go.
Go through clothes, things, books, cds, movies - things that we allow to just be in our way. If you have two of something - give one of them away. You will be blessed as you give to others who are in need. Focus on the joy of giving, not on the letting go. I know it will hurt - I don't think anyone knows how much it hurt me to let go of things when I moved! Even now I have twinges of pain when I think of all the things I had collected over the years - and I gave it away because I had no place to put it. Oh my goodness, just think what my house would look like if I had insisted on keeping everything! Even now I know I have too much 'stuff' - and I wish I knew someone who needed some things for I would be happy to give to them some of it! (notice I didn't say all).
Even if I don't have some ONE to give it to, why not give to an agency that will use it for good for others? In my research of where to donate where it will do the most good, I've found The Salvation Army is the best charitable place - they give all the 'profits' they make to help others. Goodwill is personally owned and is for profit; they help only themselves. Savers supports Big Brothers Big Sisters, but how much really gets there? I've often donated to The Upward Foundation for they call about every 3-6 months and ask if I have anything -and they pick up.
This day's reading really hit home with me and I need to at least plan to fill one box with things by the end of the week that can be given away. I bet I can get hubby to go through his things as well. The hardest thing for me to let go of would be my books - I love my books and frequently will pull out one I've read years ago to re-read. But we do have a lot of CDs and movies that we should let go of. Our 'smart TV' doesn't need a VCR or DVD player. I do still have my little TV - which - it has been two years or more since I used it... sigh.... I want to get it in here (yeah, where?) so that when I want to watch something I can get away... but do I need to keep it?
So.Much.Stuff. I need to clean out my closet too. I enjoy my t-shirts - but do I need all of them? I remember a friend who cleaned out her closet one time - she said she looked at each top - and if it had a stain on it, even if it was her favorite top, she put it in the bag to give away. I have soooo many t-shirts that I've spilled things on that didn't come out but I don't want to get rid of because.... why? I have no idea why. UGH. I hate letting go! It's MY stuff!
But for me to feel better mentally - and emotionally - I need to let it go. And it's not only material things - it is the things I hold on to within me. I'll not elaborate on that. At least not today. Today it's all about the material stuff.
And because I read about it in my study, it gave me something to write about. So I'm going to challenge myself - and challenge you. By the end of this week, fill one box with things that you can give away - and get rid of it. I'm in. Are you?
Blessings!
