I was so proud of myself.
I’ve been digging, sorting, and clearing out stuff.
I bagged it, washed it, and carted it to the car to be donated to Ditto, the “upscale resale thrift shop” that raises funds for my kids’ alma mater.
Felt like a real accomplishment.
The problem is Ditto’s hours of operation aren’t in sync with my hours of operation ;D I can’t seem to get there before closing time.
And so I have been driving around with my discarded stuff for a week. I went through it – did the inventory. I identified and separated it. I even moved it. But I haven’t really gotten rid of it. I plan to, but it’s still there hanging around. Moving around. I stopped short yesterday to avoid a car that ran a stop sign, and heard a symphony of shuffles as the stuff in back slid toward the front.
In order for me to actually get rid of this stuff, I have to make a change. I need to change my habits and rearrange my schedule. I have to move out of my comfort zone.
I have some other stuff I’d like to get rid of. Fear, anger, resentment, jealousy. I have done some soul-searching. Taken inventory. Identified what needs to be addressed. Felt some pride and a sense of accomplishment in that.
But that stuff is still hanging around. An unwelcome remark or a difficult situation becomes like that car running a stop sign bringing all that stuff toward the front, a symphony of emotions sliding around my interior. So how do I actually get rid of it – for real?
Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” But he doesn’t leave it at that.
He continues with, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)
James instructs us, “Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent”
And like Paul he goes on, “and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, .. Do what it says.” (James 1:21-22)
To get rid of these unwanted emotions and behaviors, I need to move beyond identifying them. I need to replace them with desired behaviors. Clearing out the old creates a void and the old will slide right back in if there isn’t something already in its place.
Replace resentment and anger with forgiveness.
Replace doing evil with doing what the Word says.
Then I’ll be getting rid of it – for real!
How about you? Do you have unwanted stuff hanging around? How can you clear it out? For real? Let’s talk about it.
Excellent post! I love how you point out that Paul and James didn't just say to get rid of it, they told how to get rid of it and what to replace it with. Just like Jesus told of the house swept clean of evil spirits, only to be filled once again with not just the one evil spirit, but seven more. As we remove the filth from our lives, we must replace it with godly characteristics and the Word. If we don't, the filth will return.
Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, I just carted around decade old computers for near two weeks before getting them to the dump. I know what you mean about hours of operation not lining up with our schedules.
Trying to get rid of stuff in the house and my anger and rage regarding not getting a job. So many rejection letters its not funny anymore. hopefully something positive will happen soon.
Audrey – Great point about knowing when we're rid of it for real – when those emotions stop sliding around our trunks!
DG – Your're right about the necessities that need to stay. Too often we miss them because of the clutter!
Barb – You're so funny as always ;D Let's keep chucking!
Marja – Awesome! We do have a great connection sometimes, don't we! The post is yours for the taking. Edit as needed! I so appreciate you ;D
Oh Susan, what a great post! I should put it as a foreword in my book Grace of Giving 🙂 which deals with our storage mentality (hanging on to stuff).
Thank You Susan! You inspired me again! I have been wanting to drop my STUFF off at Ditto for weeks and never have the time to do it! I’ve already written in my day planner to CLEAN OUT! on Saturday
How funny….your timing….how you always know what's going on with me 🙂
God has had me doing major internal housecleaning, but I realize that I need to do an actual formal "inventory"–believe it or not, I've just been addressing things as they come up, and not trying to figure out exactly how big my "list" is–but I need to do that (an now will, thanks to your blog 🙂
I, too, have been cleaning and "purging" my house relentlessly, and I intend to return it to the "empty" condition it was in when we first moved in 19 years ago.
What will be here though, along with the "necessities" in my house, are the very special mementos of important moments in my life, and new photos of the people in my life who mean so much to me–
Good Morning Susan…Thank you for these thoughts today….. my emotions sure slide around in my trunk… I know it's gone for sure when the subject comes up and I don't get that stomach flip anymore about it….James and Paul make it so clear to us…..I'm going to make an effort(with the Lords help) to stop hanging on to things….!!!! Have a blessed day!!!!Hugs Audrey Thanks so much for sharing with us