This post is part of my 31 Days of Transformation Series. To read the other posts, click the tab above.
I feel sorry for hoarders.
And I understand just a teeny bit how they might feel.
A few years ago, I volunteered to help a couple of days in our local community on a service project. Our job for the day was to paint a teenage girl’s bedroom at a personal home. I was working with some good friends and we were so excited to give this adorable girl a fun, cute room. I didn’t do much painting that day though.
I was totally sidetracked by what we discovered there.
Let’s just say one member of the family had a little problem with stuff.
Now, I like to declutter and clean up messes-as long as they don’t involve bodily fluids-so I jumped right in trying to help this person make some decisions as to what to keep and what to pitch.
I wanted to really go-to-town and turn the house inside out.
That is when I learned the “stuff” stacked everywhere was not a spending problem. It went much deeper than that. I was not going to “fix” the problem by making the house look the way I thought it should. This was a “heart” problem, and it about broke mine.
You know what they say, what bugs you in others probably needs to be faced in yourself.
I wrote about my own little struggle with excess here..
Something that has really helped me for the last 10 years or so is the program Marla Cilley developed out of her own procrastinating, messy tendencies. The whole program works great, but one component really has become my mantra.
“If you have something that doesn’t make you happy to see, bless someone else with it.”
Those words have freed me up to haul gobs of stuff-items that were still useful, not broken, some of it even cute-to our local mission.
With each sackful, I felt a little burden being lifted from my shoulders and a little resolve being born to stop buying things that weren’t exactly what I was looking for.
Can I get an amen?
What worked the best for me was Marla’s 25 Fling Boogie. I would set my timer for 5 minutes, grab a bag or two and start looking for 25 things that I could either pitch or give away. I did this every day for a month during her Super-Fling Parties.
If you are picturing my family living in a house with empty rooms, trust me-you would be wrong. We still have plenty-compared to most, probably even too much-stuff.
But I have learned that when my surroundings are messy, I feel messy on the inside too. I don’t want to be controlled by my physical possessions.
Fast forward a couple of hours……….
Then, as I am driving the tractor back and forth helping my husband plant wheat this morning, it hits me. I am no different than the woman we tried to help.
It is a heart problem for me, too.
Mr. Target, Ms. J Crew, Mr. T.J. Maxx, Mr. Ballard Design, even Mr. Walton cannot till the empty places in my heart.
I repent, and pray that the Holy Spirit will transform my heart.
Hugs,
Hey Susan,I'm new follower visiting from Grace at Home.I also put your blog on my sidebar…I'm been reading your blog and I can relate some what….I thought I once had to have every pair of shoes with matching handbags…I've transformed myself…made several trips to Goodwill and giveaway's to friends/churches….I've gotten completely out of buying and thinking I "had to have"…so good luck with your transformation,I'm excited to see the progress.
Hey Susan I'm baaaaack…you was asking about the splenda….at first It tasted different,but I kept experimenting and cutting back till I think I've got it,it was trial an error,I use light brown sugar quite alot also….hubby is type 2 so it has been quite an adventure learning how to cook the healthy way (so as not to put hubs back in the hospital-teehe).
Thanks for asking…I love it!!
Great post!
I've never driven a tractor!
Or thrown out 25 things…ouch!
I think we all have to clear out STUFF every now and then. It's dishes for me….but only since I sstarted blogging and doing tablescapes. I decided it was crazy to buy dishes if I didn't really need them, so I've stopped doing that.;)
I came by to link to your party..be back later..:)
Amen, girl! Our problems are problems of the heart–and only God can change our hearts. But He can do it, and He will if we'll let him! But often that involves our being willing to making space for him to work, doesn't it?
Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home!
Hi Susan, I just read this days blog and love it. We all have holes in us and want to fill it up with 'things' instead of God. You are such an inspiration. I don't get on my computer every day and so I read mulitple days of your 'life' and am overjoyed to find you here in the land of blog. Hugs and smiles to you. 🙂