Pitch, Keep, or Give Away?

I am in this crazy funky mood of cleaning out anything that isn’t nailed or glued down in my house or garage. There are so many things in life that are beyond my control, but one thing I can control is my clutter!

With a l-o-n-g, record-breaking summer of heat behind us in Phoenix and the presence of COVID still with us nationally, I am so ready to move into fall with a house that’s been refreshed from the stay-at-home COVID clutter! I have piles of papers in my office that need to be filed or shredded, stacks of stuff that need to either be pitched, kept or given away, drawers I need to clean out, and boxes full of who-knows-what stored in the garage. (Last year I finally parted with Bill’s old Elvis costume and my Priscilla wig). My closet needs to be cleaned out, but since I haven’t shopped for months at my discount stores, I will keep wearing the old and just add a new lipstick color.

As I jumped in, knee-deep with determination to get started, I couldn’t help but smile when it dawned on me that God does the same thing with us too.

He takes what we think is broken, worthless, not needed, not wanted, and inadequate about ourselves – all our piles of “stuff” that is stored in our heart, in the closet of our mind, and in the boxes of our emotions – and salvages it for His glory and to His service. In God’s eyes, we are a “keeper!” To Him we have great value, purpose, and meaning. He accepts us unconditionally and would never pitch us out or give us away. In spite of our brokenness and inadequacies, He loves us always, forever, and no matter what.

As I begin to clean out, sort through all my stuff, and make choices of what to keep, what to pitch and what to give away, I will take it one step further and ask myself, “What do I need to discard (let go) from my heart, my mind, and my emotions? And, what are the keepsakes that have gotten lost in my clutter?” Perhaps this is a timely question for you also.

You might want to think about the stuff you need to let go and what you need to keep. Here are some things to consider:

Clean out and discard

Visually lay down each thing at the feet of Jesus. Pray for God to help you release the stuff you need to let go of. It’s not always easy to do and it doesn’t mean when you lay it down once you won’t pick it back up the next day. Sometimes I have to lay those things down every day, but with God’s strength and my prayers, I begin to let go of more and more!

Unforgiveness

Grudges

Gossip

Critical spirit

Negative thoughts

Bitterness

Anger

Judgmental attitude

Fear

(What else do you need to clean out?)

Keepsakes and treasures that can often get lost in the midst of your stuff:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal;

for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Time in God’s word

Prayer

Trust

Faith

Hope

Scripture

Unconditional love

Kindness

Thoughtfulness

Gratefulness

(other keepsakes and treasures?)

From My Heart to Yours,