I started a project recently that consisted of going through 2 storage areas to clean out what is no longer needed and to add memories to the memory boxes now that the school year is over. What a process! You drag everything out to get to a box and then have all the other boxes littering the hallway. One closet is across the hall from the laundry room, so it was such a treat to try to do laundry around the boxes. I don’t know why I wouldn’t keep it that way all the time. I digress…
I managed to get all the winter clothes put away, all the memories tucked safely away, and had boxes to spare. That was a good feeling. I like the feeling of simplifying. As I close the door to the storage areas, my hallways are finally cleared of all the clutter.
Where are you right now? Sit down and really look around.
Is there something out of place? Something that doesn’t quite belong there? What about the neatly organized stack of magazines on the table?
How do you define clutter?
Merriam-Webster defines clutter this way, “to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness.”
Most of us would agree with the idea of “scattered or disordered things” as being clutter. But, have you thought about what clutter does to your life? It “reduces effectiveness”.
So, what clutter do you have in your life?
Don’t answer with the simple things. We all have clutter in our houses. It’s time to go deeper…what really reduces your effectiveness in life?
- Relationships
- Work
- Church responsibilities / activities
- Finances
- School activities (whether a student, teacher, or parent)
The list could go on and on, but, praise the Lord, God calls us to Him. He is the great organizer of the universe. He placed the stars, sun, and planets exactly where they belonged and he can do the same for our lives. The psalmist cried out, “Search me, O God, and know my anxious thoughts”. It’s time we do the same. Where do you need to allow God to work more effectively in your life? Get out of His way and let Him work!
What is hard about letting God work in your “less than effective” areas of your life?
© 2014 Susan M. Sims
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You bring up some very good points here in you article! I has given me some thinking to do.
Susan, Thank you for the reminder. Clutter ties us down and when we don’t remove it. It becomes our normal. That can be quite scary. A few years ago, we started working to remove financial clutter. Very hard at first. However, it has been very rewarding for me and for our marriage. It is very important to de-clutter on an ongoing basis.
You are correct, Marie…clutter is normal for most. As soon as I clean up one area, I tend to find it in another area of my life. Always some de-cluttering to do somewhere. Congrats on getting finances in order!