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Writer's pictureJill Jarrell Newsome

Drowning In Stuff

For the last few years I have felt I was drowning in stuff! When my granny died and when Mike's parents died we found ourselves with more things. Then there were things I have saved for years for my girls. When the girls had come back home they brought stuff. It really was beginning to bother me. I am not talking about closets packed and things in every corner - I am just saying, a home that has every room decorated. It was just too much! I decided to face this head on - no other way. I gave much furniture away to people who needed it and I began to sell some. I took loads to the thrift stores. Our best friends were also selling their house so we would compare how much we were getting rid of. I am proud to say that my house now echoes! The upstairs is almost empty with the exception of the furniture the new owners want. Closets are empty, the garage is emptying and the list goes on. 3400 square feet going to 900+ square feet for a year! It feels so good that I just walk around and admire. It is so freeing!


To be able to get rid of clutter, I had to be ready to let go of. Galatians 5: 16, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Sometimes trying to be a good steward of my money I find myself not wanting to get rid of something in case I need it. Romans 12: 2 spoke to me. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." My mind was too junked up with all my stuff that I needed to get rid of. All of the stuff was consuming my mind.


The Holy Spirit convicted me. There were some things that I held on to because of who gave it to me or if it had belonged to a loved one who had died. I offered to my girls and if they did not want them I let it go. If I did not love the item then it was time to let it go so someone else could love it. Worldly possessions bog me down. I think of Jesus' example. He and the disciples traveled light! Hebrews 12: 1-3, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."


"According to a poll sponsored by the Huffington Post, home organization is one of the most universal stress triggers. Eighty-four percent of recently stressed Americans say they worry their home isn’t clean or organized enough, and within that group, 55 percent called it out as a source of recent stress." Wow! "Let us throw off everything that hinders.” Jesus talked a lot about money and possessions! No wonder clutter is such a struggle for us. Clutter is not just a physical battle but a mental and spiritual battle as well.


"Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor - it's anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living."

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