A man is raised up from the earth by two wings-simplicity and purity. There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires. Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him.
Thomas a Kempis
Over the 72 years of my life, I have accumulated an enormous amount of stuff. More stuff than one person should acquire. I have frequently purged areas of my house, but for some reason other items seem to mysteriously invade my home. (This is now my closet, not!!!)
I occasionally decrease some of my abundance of clothing and other outdated or extra items I have collected, but I still have a couple of drawers , closets and pantries that remain cluttered that cause me a little nausea and embarrassment when I open them.
So with the new year starting I decided, I wanted to organize these areas of abyss and find freedom. I enlisted the most organized person I know, my daughter Dana, to help me with the areas that are hidden behind closed doors and in drawers.
We started in my bathroom under my sink. WOW!!! Wish we would have taken before and after pics, but we were so eager to get started we forgot. Dana pulled everything out onto the floor in a New York minute. It took us an hour to complete our undertaking. We filled 3 grocery bags of trash and one bag of expired or discontinued prescription drugs before the cabinet renovation was complete. Dana even bought me clear stacking bins and made it look so professional. I actually know everything that I have and where it is. Lack of clutter here and other areas has helped me to have a simpler life and set me free in a unique way that I can’t explain.
A cluttered home keeps us from seeing things clearly, just as a cluttered mind can distract us from the goal or plans that God has for us. Simplifying our lives clears up our time and can abolish mental distractions so we can focus on the basics of godliness and develop a deeper intimacy with God. Sometimes Christians can complicate the simplicity of their spiritual life with too many activities, too much overtime at work, too much debt, and too much everything else-leaving very little time or energy for God, His word, or serving others.
We cannot become more like Christ when our lives are cluttered with chaos and controlled by crisis. When our minds are cluttered, it limits our ability to give adequate attention to our relationship with Jesus Christ and the plans and purposes He has prepared for us. My desire is to continue to detach myself from my over abundance in my home, my mind and my personal and spiritual life in order to be free to attach myself fully to my relationship with God.
Embrace the minimalist lifestyle this year!
What is it in your life that you need to discard so that you can grow deeper and more focused in your spiritual journey with God?
Clutter is the enemy of simplicity.
Charles Swindol
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