Closet Cleanout
Ever get “Spring cleaning” fever in the Fall?
I remember once when I decided to tackle the boys’ toy closet…
Let me tell you, after I finished, I felt liberated, giddy even!
We have lived in this wonderful old barn of a house for decades.
Mentally, we have been ready to sell, but I have not been able even to entertain the thought of moving, because I haven’t wanted to deal with the accumulation of stuff.
I collected so much stuff that instead of managing it, it was managing me!
Take out the trash
It isn’t just the physical stuff that can hold us back.
Sometimes, we aren’t able to move into the future because we are bound by the past.
The idea of taking out the emotional garbage…
- or opening up old wounds
- or forgiving an offense
- or letting go of control
- or admitting we’re wrong…
…or cutting our losses is just too much to ask.
So we keep the psychic debris…
- or the grudge
- or the stronghold
- or the addiction
- or the secret
…or the stuff until it’s too painful or too stinky or too big to manage and it collapses on top of us.
Unencumbered
God graciously (or impatiently) pushed me into clearing space in my closet.
Finally, it was more painful to keep the status quo than to make room for what God might lead me into if I was unencumbered.
This time it was my accumulation. Other times, it has been letting go of my past for good so I could embrace the truth of his love for me, believe I am worthy of his acceptance, or restore a relationship by forgiving the offender.
Friend, I don’t know what you’re holding onto or avoiding because you’re afraid to unpack it, but I’m here to tell you the truth:
Whatever “it” is,
has got to be brought out, sorted through,
and sent packing.
Trust me, you will feel better. You might even be liberated!
What is God inviting you to throw away, let go of, or send packing?
This week, try to get rid of just one thing and see what kind of relief you experience. You can do it!
Verse
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.” —Luke 5:37
Prayer
God, help me release the past, clean up the messes, and embrace new thinking so I am ready for the marvelous life you have in store for me. Amen.
As usual, this is right on time. Thank you, Robin. My sister and three other ladies are finally getting to your Bible Study after they purchased it last year at Women Anew. I wish it was in a time/location where I could join them. But, it will be another time. Blessings, Dear Friend.
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for writing – you’re such an encourager.
Not sure this is an option, but you have access to all the Bible Study videos online. You could watch them remotely and join the conversation on the phone or via zoom or facetime. Not quite as good, but an option.