I think I’ve mentioned before that we are considering moving from our wonderful old farmhouse.
I know. Right?
Everyone else wants one and I’m going to move out of one?
What’s up with that?
Well, our driveway goes up a hill which isn’t great. The yard is big. The house is four levels. Yep, four. Our “attic” is finished on one end. It’s a wonderful old house and I’ve loved decorating it. It’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve finally got it decorated the way I want.
However, we are heating rooms we never use, like the living room, the dining room, and two bedrooms. And the floor plan is not what we want now. We are in the beginning stages of this process. We are in no hurry because when we move, we want what we want. We have our list and we’ve laid it at God’s feet, confident that we will know when the right house comes along.
But until then, I’m getting rid of a lot of “stuff”. I’m working in the basement at present. As I worked downstairs, I came across artwork from our grandchildren and remember how we used the third floor as our “studio”. I would bring up buckets of water (very steep stairs I might add) and we would draw and paint and make one big mess. I had tables set up for them and paper galore. What fun we had.
Seeing their artwork made me tear-up. Earlier in the week, I had also gathered some mementos from my children when they were little and put them in a box. The box is labeled so that when the times comes and they go through all our belongings, this box is clearly marked. I even have a pillowcase my mom embroidered that was mine when I was a baby.
It’s not easy-going through your things. And in some cases, I’ve had some hard decisions to make. Would I keep the clay and all the tools? I used to love making my own clay beads. I decided they could go. There’s only so many interests a person can pursue and I realized when I came across my art supplies, how much I missed painting. I would love to get back to that.
But that means something else has to go. So the clay is going. I also weeded out some fabric. The jewelry making supplies will all be contained in one box. I have everything very organized.
There are all kinds of sites on the “net” to help you organize and de-clutter. Marie Kondo has some good tips. She has a huge following. I like some of her ideas. But there are many others. I like this blog very much.
My reasoning? I don’t want to have to make any quick decisions should things move faster than I think they will. To me, there seems to be more of a likelihood of making some mistake.
I love garage sales and most of my furniture (not upholstered pieces) and accessories have come from garage sales and thrift stores so that makes getting rid of them much easier. However, when I look around I like everything I have! That will make this process harder.
My husband and I have prayed about this for over a year. In my case, I’ve prayed every day for clarity in knowing what to keep and what to get rid of. Sometimes, when we’re at the cabin I gain the most insight and can come home and make some decisions.
Getting rid of things has resulted in trusting God more. Who woulda’ thunk it? But God is all about change. There would be no need for scripture otherwise. (Think about that for a minute.)
As a Christian, I think God expects us to join Him with what He is doing in our lives. We sense God’s hand and leading in all of this so we are joining Him in the process instead of expecting Him to do it all. Which is why I’m cleaning out.
Change is hard. I posted not too long ago that one of the greatest marks of maturity is our willingness to accept change.
As long as we see change as something negative rather than something positive, we will have a hard time moving on.
Which brings me to this point.
Beating depression is all about change.
Managing depression is all about change.
What we are doing isn’t working. Right? If it were, we wouldn’t be depressed. So we need to change some things. And I think Scripture is very clear that God expects us to be part of the healing process. He will give us the strength but we have to take each step.
I love when David in Psalm 42: 4-6 talks to his soul and says “These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and praise. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.…
Do you notice how tells himself to put his hope in God? To praise God? To remember God? These are all deliberate acts. These are all choices. David’s “choosing” to trust even though he is feeling overwhelmed.
Put your (his soul) hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
So speak to your own soul if you need to.
Speak to your depression.
Your depression isn’t “you”. Your depression is something you have not something you are. Not only can you get better; you can manage it forever. It doesn’t have to be how you are identified by yourself or anyone else.
I speak from experience. Read my “About Me” page for my story. I didn’t have any special talents or skills. I fought hard for my recovery. I agreed with God that there were things in my life that needed to change. I worked with what He was doing in my life. (You might want to read “Experiencing God”, by Henry Blackaby for a better understanding of what cooperating with God looks like. )
I hope you found this helpful. It helped me to write it.
God bless and I hope you have a good day.
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