The summer after I completed kindergarten my mother introduced me to a new summer project—“purging.” It began in my bedroom and focused on removing all of the unnecessary items, from school and Sunday School papers to outgrown clothing. She packaged it as a “party,” suggesting that we were making room for the new clothes I would need for fall as well as the papers that I would accumulate throughout the approaching school year. Since I was now “a big girl,” what started in my room spread throughout our home as we went through each room purging the unnecessary items and reorganizing those that remained. This practice continued until she stepped into eternity and has followed me into my adult years.
As I matured as a believer, I realized that just as I needed to schedule a “purging party” as a summer project for my home, I also needed to give attention to my spiritual home—my heart, so that I am prepared for my heavenly Father’s future assignments. Kelsey’s Korner provides you with a delightful story as well as helpful hints for a successful summer “purging party” while my section focuses on purging your spiritual home.
The Entryway
Just as the entryway of my home welcomes all those who cross its threshold, so my salvation was an entrance into an eternal relationship with my heavenly Father. My “spiritual purging party” commences with reexamining the foundational Scriptures that lead to my salvation. They include:
♥ John 3:16 ♥ Romans 3:10 ♥ Romans 3:23 ♥ Romans 5:12
♥ Romans 6:23 ♥ Romans 5:8 ♥ Romans 10:9&10 ♥ Romans 10:13
♥ Revelation 3:20
Once I confirm that the entryway is purged I then move to …
The Family Room
The Family Room is the control room of the house. Purging tasks for this room involve:
♥ Validating that the books and magazines are ones that I would want to read with my heavenly Father (2 Timothy 2:15-16).
♥ Verifying that the movies and music challenge me to think on the attributes described in Philippians 4:8-9.
♥ Confirming that the decor allows me to practice 2 Corinthians 10:5. I then attack…
The Living Room
The Living Room is a quiet, comfortable room where I seek to daily meet my heavenly Father. How special to know that He desires to be with me! However, for me to enjoy fellowship with Him I must…
♥ Choose to allow light rather than darkness to permeate the room (1 John 1:7).
♥ Consistently purge sin from my life (1 John 1:9).
♥ Replace any obstacles that could hinder our fellowship with the study and meditation upon His Word (Ps. 119:11).
♥ Remove any barriers that would hamper our communication through prayer (Ps. 66:18)
The final room is…
My Bedroom and Its Closet
This room is a sanctuary where I experience rest from the day’s toil and renewal for tomorrow’s assignment. If it is to serve as the environment where my heavenly Father can “give His beloved sleep” (Ps. 127:2) I must…
First deal with its closet, to determine if there are any “secret areas”. It may contain personal things I do not want anyone else to know about. Often they are stashed in the darkest corners. I must joyfully apply Psalm 51 to the closet since I cannot have a quality relationship with my Lord until it is thoroughly purged!
Once the closet is cleaned I need to insure that I bring nothing into the bedroom that contributes to…
♥ Anxiety or worry (Phil. 4:6-7).
♥ Anger or frustration since I should not even enter the bedroom until they are resolved (Eph. 4:26).
♥ A lack of prayerfulness (1 Peter 5:7).
♥ My falling asleep recounting all of God’s blessings to me during the day (Ps. 103).
A “purging party” is a necessary project to maintain my spiritual home in good condition. The task is only possible with the Lord’s strength and guidance (Phil. 4:13, 19)!
KELSEY’S KORNER
Footie pajamas, baby suspenders, tiny cardigans, oh my! Dressing my son in adorable outfits is officially one of my favorite hobbies!
My borderline over-the-top obsession with baby clothes was recently given more fuel from a kind work colleague. He accepted a position elsewhere, and in the process of packing and moving, he and his wife collected around 8 large storage containers full of lightly used boy clothing from their only son…all of which they graciously donated to me!
Upon receiving the clothes, I eagerly blocked off my Friday night, enlisted the help of my equally eager mother-in-law, moved some furniture in my living room (really, it was A LOT of clothes!), and spent the next 5 hours sorting.
The temptation, as someone who admittedly loves baby clothing, was to keep it all…but, I believe that moderation is imperative to healthy living (also, my son’s closet is only so big!). Several mindset adjustments were critical as we sorted through all of the clothing. As the summer unfolds and my projects/purgings continue, I will apply these same principles to my other tasks:
Remember what place possessions should assume in a believer’s life.
Matthew 6:19-21 says it best – “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on 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 and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Way too quickly, material objects can sneak their way into too high a place in our hearts. As fallen humans who enjoy our creature comforts, there is a real danger of idolizing material possessions (especially when tiny flip-flops are thrown into the mix!). We must constantly purpose to fix our hearts on heavenly treasures, not earthly possessions.
Keep what’s needed, let go of the rest!
As we sort and purge, this is one of the more critical tips to keep in mind. That old trombone encased in an inch of dust that you’ve been meaning to learn how to play, or that box of chargers and other random cords dating back to the early nineties – it’s time for them to go. Or in my case, I had to ask myself, “Does a 6 month old really need 15 different collared shirts?” Keep the items you really need, and let go of the rest.
Loosen your grip on the “just in case” items.
As a person naturally prone to anxiety, this tip is challenging for me. I like to be prepared for every “what if” scenario. Over time, however, this habit of holding-on creates a collection of random items that never get used. Items that, if given away, could be put to great use by others. So instead of keeping the adorably puffy snow coat for just in case DFW magically gets a blizzard, I was challenged instead to pass it along.
Organize now, don’t put it off for “another day.”
The mindset of “now’s not a good time, I’ll do it later” can get us into big trouble. The unfortunate truth is that there is never a better time. We are always busy! If we shove items into a drawer or closet instead of putting them into a permanent home, they will likely stay in that drawer or closet with all the other items we were too busy to put away! Instead, take a few extra minutes to properly store your “stuff”. The time saved in the long run will be a blessing to your busy schedule.
Consider who would be most blessed from your excess.
The city where I was raised had a surprisingly large Somalian refugee population. As a nurse deeply involved in community medical ministries, my mother constantly had these hurting families on her heart. Very regularly, she had my brother and me to sort through our toys and clothes, encouraging us to donate all we had outgrown to our refugee neighbors. When we have someone in mind that would benefit from our possessions more than us, it makes letting go so much easier!
By the Lord’s graciousness and a friend’s kindness, my son’s closet is filled with great clothes. I now have the joy of passing along the remaining items to other excited mothers of cute baby boys. As you sort through your own closets and drawers this summer, I pray these tips help you keep what you need and bless others with the rest!
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness.” (Ps. 51:7)
Therefore, I may boldly say, “Father, thank you that You will create in me a clean heart and a steadfast spirit within me when I ask you to forgive my sins.”
You might enjoy other of our cleaning/purging-related Posts:
“Do You Know the Critical Components of Nest Building?”
“To Minimize or Hoard—that is the Question!”
“Spring Cleaning the Heart and the Home”
“The Refrigerator and Freezer—July’s Hints for the Everyday Homemaker”
“Laundry Basics—June’s Hints for the Everyday Homemaker”
“Cleaning Products from Your Panty—April’s Hints for the Everyday Homemaker”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!