How to Clean Your Way to Freedom
This decluttering business is a tough job. Whether I’m physically cleaning out closets or dealing with spiritual clutter, there are decisions to be made. Sometimes I make it harder than it needs to be.
Over time I have developed a habit, a not so good habit, of keeping what I know are unnecessary items because I believe ‘I might need those things later.’
The truth is, I can part with some things easily, while I cling to other things with clinched fists.
So I’ve promised myself not to bring anything else into my home while I’m trying to organize or get rid of the stuff I already have. That includes new commitments and extra responsibilities.
In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul wrote, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
God’s overarching message to me this past year has been to clean out and simplify.
So like any good teacher I started compiling a list of resources that would help me along the way. I also created a Pinterest board packed full of organization and decluttering tips to refer to. I’m thankful for the experts who share their experience, purpose and encouragement.
I had to laugh though when one decluttering article reminded me I should have around 46 hangers of clothes in my closet….I started shaking my head no. LET’S NOT GET CRAZY. Who am I kidding? I have close to 46 school t-shirts and they all serve a purpose.
But I knew the same couldn’t be said for everything else in my closet.
I had to get serious about my plan to pare down everything from clothing, to scrapbook paper, to fabric, books, magazines and more before we were taken over.
Fortunately my focus hasn’t been on maintaining a certain number of items. Instead, my decision has been to evaluate what I have, when it was worn, read or used last, and whether it needed to go or not. No emotions. No guilt. Just let it go.
The decluttering process is about more than cleaning out rooms, closets or drawers. I believe God wants me to live a life of freedom. A life not caught up in possessions or extra baggage. And if I’m going to follow His commands and lean on His promises, then I must choose to put my words and thoughts into action.
You know His word says in Hebrews 13:5, ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The cleaning out stage is a work in progress for sure but I am comforted by Matthew 6:19-21. These verses say we are not to store up treasures for ourselves on this earth, but instead we are store up our treasures in heaven, where are hearts will be also.
It’s also a test of obedience. It’s about releasing my fear of letting go and sticking to a plan of paring down, remembering I have plenty and lack for nothing.
I want to honor God and I want to create a home where my family can rest and be restored.
My plans to clean out and simplify are relatively easy.
- Recognize what my real needs are.
- Make the decision to refrain from future purchases that are based on want or impulse.
- Continue my efforts to a clutter free life, pleasing God as He calls to me to simplify.
- Learn to laugh along the way and not take myself so seriously.
‘For the longest time I thought I needed to be more organized.
Now I know I just need less stuff.’
I would love to hear how you are simplifying your life? Are you seeing and feeling a difference as you work your way through the decluttering process? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. I’ll be praying for you.
Blessings & Hugs!
This week I am decluttering for a cause. My best friends son will be heading off to college in the fall, so she is having the first of many yard sales this weekend to help pave the way financially to provide a good future for him. I have been “sitting on” a lot of stuff LOL my office is cluttered, my spare room is like a black hole. I have totes filled with things that have not seen the light of day since I moved to NC almost 7 years ago. So, over the next several days I will be boxing up my goods and heading to her house Friday night to start setting up for an early start on Saturday. It’s time to part with all the “stuff” that is just taking up unnecessary space in my home. And what greater blessing than to donate it to my best friend to help lighten her load come fall.
It’s going to be a tough season for her not only because her son is heading off to college a few hours away but her other best friend, who has known her many years more than I, will also be moving from the coast of NC to the mountains of NC. It’s going to be a huge transition for her so I’m thankful God has kept me here, so I can come alongside and walk with her through this big change. Time for me to get to work boxing things up! Have an awesome day Mitzi 🙂
Brandy,
Thank you so much for sharing this precious story of unwavering friendship and support. From time to time my sewing room is the black hole. It seems it’s the room that everything that doesn’t have a place gets thrown in. Stacks and stacks of stuff clutter my cutting table top. Oh how I miss sewing and creating, and if anything is going to be done, then it has to be cleaned out. That’s my current project at home. Blessings to you my friend and I’ll be praying for your friend and her family too. God Bless You!
Thank you for sharing! I need to do this too!
Yes!!! This is so good.
Girl, you spoke to my heart! I need to declutter everything. My husband and I have slowly been paring down on things. I’ve given away a couple of boxes of books, recycled a big box of magazines, and donated random things that we don’t need anymore. But there is still SO MUCH CLUTTER!
Sarah, I am with you every step of the way. In three years of ministry I have sooooo much stuff–paper, magazines, books, and more. I didn’t realize all that was coming in and nothing was going out. But now I have a clear handle on it and everything is finding a home–maybe the trash–but it will have a place. In the future I’ll be working on my master bedroom and closet just to pare down a bit more. Hang in there and we will get this done together. Bless you and take care.