Stuff, Stuff and More Stuff

Have you ever noticed it is when you feel your worst that you become all too painfully aware of all the cobwebs and dust bunnies that have invaded your home? Who do they think they are and why do they have such power over me?

I think I only need look up close at a spider web or one of the dust bunnies and -- POOF! -- they have multiplied by the hundreds.

It's an infestation.

And on top of that there is lots of -- stuff.
Stuff here.
Stuff there.
Someone else's stuff everywhere.

Get rid of it.
It is time for stuff to go.

So I take out one box at a time and sort through it carefully, trying to decide how many things to keep and how many things to give away.

This is hard work!
How did I end up with so much STUFF?

What does the stuff represent to me?

We've all done it -- well most of us have anyway. We are hurting -- from a broken relationship, from stunned silence over being fired, from feeling so hurt by another ... we decide we need some RETAIL THERAPY.

Thus, the way our space ends up being filled with ... STUFF.

One tube of toothpaste isn't enough for me. I MUST have 3-4 tubes of toothpaste -- stuff.
I need a new work-out top. One isn't enough. I must have several more. More stuff.
I need some new yarn for a crochet project. It's so pretty and there's so much at the store -- AND IT'S ON SALE! WHY -- I'm saving money by buying more! STUFF.

And now I am donating all the piles of stuff that has piled up.

This is a spiritual issue for me. I realize that I am placing value on things, on stuff, that has no eternal value. I try to find comfort in buying a new sweater when I should appeal to my Savior, the One who alone can give me peace.

As I think about this a Scripture comes to mind:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -- Matthew 6:19--20

I think I'm going to print that and tape it to my checkbook.
And you think I'm kidding ...

I have come to learn a few things in this journey.

1. I must admit I am weighed down with stuff. I need to name it and then re-claim my space.
2. It is a good thing to be super organized. That clean space - with no stuff! - is very freeing.
3. Once I do these things I must come to the place where I admit my love of stuff to my Savior, in whom I know I will receive welcome arms and a heaping basket full of grace. GRACE is one thing I can never have enough of. 
4. Free stuff is NOT free! It just entices me to stock up on stuff I do not need. Saying NO to free stuff. No matter how tempting it is to me. JUST -- SAY -- NO.

 Time to sign off. I'm digging into all the Christmas decor. Time to get rid of holiday stuff.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --