We really should preface this post by saying that we are both somewhat obsessive compulsive – we believe in a good way though. A lot of people feel the need to hold on to things incase there is a “rainy day.” We are sure that this could be a nationwide epidemic – have you noticed people’s garages?  They may have things of value in them, but they seem to get lost in the sea of unnecessary clutter. We have a litmus test for the stuff that hangs around our house.  If we have not used it within a year or two – it is given away or sent to the Salvation Army. We have to war against this plague though – we currently have too many boxes in our attic.  We try to purge often – the kitchen pantry, clothes, household items, paperwork, sports equipment, etc.  If you are like us, you have to wonder – how does that junk drawer that I just organized a couple of months ago get so messed up? It is a constant battle, but so worth the fight. Apostle Ball had great insight on the accumulation of stuff – he would recite the to-do list: insure it, store it, maintain it, worry about it, clean it, and move it. When we have accumulated too much stuff, we notice that we start to feel anxious.  There is great freedom and liberty in the ability to let go and simplify your life.

Learning how to assess value to something really helps.  Unless it has a true sentimental value – and we scrutinize how precious – we have come to the conclusion that someone else could benefit from its presence more than us. By the prompting of Holy Spirit, we have even given away some of those truly special treasures. We try never to get to the place where we hold on to something too tightly – always believing that Yahweh is our source.

It has really helped us to curb our frivolous spending. Establishing a need for something will keep you on track to maybe not buy that shirt that you might wear one day – the price is so cheap – hard to pass up – only to find that shirt a year later in the closet with the tags still on it.

Keeping things neat, simple and organized is so freeing. It takes quite a bit of time and energy, but the benefits far outweigh the alternative.