For the past month I've watched her clean out her home of everything. What their children didn't take she sold. It has been an arduous task. Satan has met her at every turn.
Likewise I watched my mother in law clean out her almost 5,000 square foot home. It took her two years. She meticulously went through every single item in their home. We tried to help. She labored on her own. Each item had a memory attached to it. A season of life. Collections of a lifetime spanning back over five decades.
I love both of these women. A lot. They inspired me. So this past weekend my husband and I started cleaning out closets. What you have to know is that I'm married to the worlds greatest organizer. Actually a perpetual organizer. His closet is organized by color and pattern as are his bow ties, neckties, socks, and boxers. The back of his SUV is full of organized survival gear. You know, the normal stuff: bottled water, an axe, a machete, flares, blanket, snacks, diet Mountain Dew, a few pistols and a rifle. Be organized. Be prepared. He is an Eagle Scout through and through.
Like I said my better half is organized. Did I mention he vacuums our attic on a monthly basis? If it hasn't been used or worn in 6 months? Yep, kiss it goodbye. He will pitch it. Can't tell you how many times in our kids childhood I went to look for something. "Have you seen so and so?" I would say to Mr. Organization. "Yep, if you don't use it you loose it. Took it to the Salvation Army". So I thought since everything is really organized our Saturday project would be easy. Wrong. Oh so wrong.
I quickly realized we've spoiled our grown girls. Four closets of Trina Turk, Lilly, J. Crew, Tory Burch, Elizabeth McKay, Barbour, Burberry. I shutter to think of the amount of money we have spent on clothes for deb parties, sorority rush, mixers, life in general. It was a bit ridiculous. We separated in piles by donate, sell on eBay, and chuck it. Through all the sifting I became acutely aware that this process was exhausting, a bit embarrassing, difficult, a tad shameful due to the quantity, and yet liberating. Not unlike saying "Yes" to Jesus.
When we've committed our life to Jesus? When we've said "Jesus you are my Lord and Savior" the bible tells us that right then and there we are a new creature. Many people think life will be all rainbows, skittles, and a pot of gold. Actually? Not so much.
Christ ultimate objective is to make sure we spend all eternity with Him in heaven. In order to do that we have to walk out our lives here. Here on earth he cleanses us. That purging of the old self into the new? It's hard! Letting go of old habits, old attitudes, and old idols can be shameful, scary, and often overwhelming. The things we thought defined us or completed us we actually become imprisoned too. Those "things" become our masters whether we are aware of it or not.
When you look around this country at the utter excess we indulge in? It's quite easy to figure out why we have pushed God out. Our need for achievement, activities, dry goods, technology, wealth, and creature comforts have become our idols. We've filled our lives with things rather than filling our lives with Him. The problem is we keep requiring more things because, no matter how hard we try, the old things still don't fill our souls. Only Jesus can do that.
My mother in law was able to pick out her favorite things. They downsized to a smaller home overlooking a pond. The space is filled with the best of the best. Her favorite things. It is stunning. My friend has cleaned out everything. Their new home will be filled with her favorite things and overlooking the sound. Not a bad way to live. I'm excited for both of them. New beginnings. Less clutter. Clear vision of life.
What clutter is holding you back today? What idols are keeping you from the One who holds you dear and fills the hole in your life? Clean them out today. Ask God to replace that insatiable thirst for things with His Living Water.
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, Even there, Your hand will guide me"-Psalm 139:9
