I love this time of year. Something about the return of cooler weather makes me want to clean out and organize. What a good feeling it is, to sort through clutter and get rid of junk!! I’m the type that tends to let papers pile up, and things get out of place, but it’s not because I like things that way. I love having a cleared book shelf, a desk that you can see the top of, and kitchen counters that are vacant. Tidying and getting rid of stuff gives us not only more physical space, but also mental space, because we’re no longer burdened with excess. Ahh – it’s almost like a breath of fresh air!
But what is junk? Not too long ago, this topic of discovering what junk is was being discussed during lunch. (Just think – once you discover what junk is, then you can get rid of it! Isn’t that exciting?!) Many creative definitions were given, so I decided to share them with you. These definitions help me think through areas of my life that need to be de-cluttered……
Junk:
- anything that’s out of place
- things you don’t want
- things you fight over
- things of no value
- things you throw away
- clutter
- things you don’t need
- broken things
- stuff you don’t remember having until you dust it, or find it in far-away corners
- things you haven’t used in over a year
Hmmm…. that’s a lot. We are called to be stewards of the tools and gifts that God has given us. He has equipped us with tools for hospitality (kitchen gadgets, bedding, washing machine, furniture, to name only a few), tools for ministry (musical instruments, and all the gear necessary for them), tools for dominion (rakes, lawn mowers, shovels, etc.), tools for discipleship (books, etc.), and on and on. We need to take dominion of the things we’ve been blessed with, and not let them take dominion over us.
One more thought to ponder: God is a God of order. He created order. Why then, shouldn’t we, His most prized creation, seek to develop this quality in our lives?
So, this is a time to declutter – to get rid of the excess in my life so that I am free to fully embrace and enjoy the tasks God gives me. Anyone want to join me on this journey?
P.S. For another great post about de-junking, visit our friends, the Meggs Family.
Whew! Sounds like a wonderfully refreshing and relieving task! Yes, I want to join you all on the journey! 🙂 That’s a great list of definitions, and here’s one more that’s helped me clean out in the past: (I would’ve added it if I’d been there… :)) “Clutter [junk] is anything you wouldn’t remember having if your house burned down.” 🙂
We recently moved, and that was a fine time to evaluate every item in the house for it’s value. Lots of work, but worth it!
We found it was also refreshing to give away items that were not junk, but that we could ‘let go’ and would be a blessing to others. There is something so refreshing about organization, order… and being a blessing to others in the process.
Yes, I could share a little bit about it . . . ;P
And I can breathe much easier now. I don’t think it is just a mental or visual thing, i.e. I don’t see the junk now! I think that the desire to have a neat and orderly way of living was implanted in us by God, because we serve a God of order and cleanliness. I have often heard the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” I am not sure I would really call that accurate, but I would say that the more we become like God, the more orderly we will be!
I have a little ways to go . . . .
:).
De-junk Jessica. It is worth it!
Amen! Yes, I think I am going to have to join you in de-junking. I have another definition for “junk”. Junk is anything that holds you back from serving God better.