Perspective

Just two months ago my basement was not quite filled to capacity, but pretty close, housing treasures galore!
-Two banquet tables covered with cities built of Lincoln Logs and Hot Wheels, constantly being arranged by Murdy boys and visiting boys, big and little alike!
-A huge gold column from the grand hall of "Phantom of the Opera" along with multiple other musical theater memoirs.
-The largest piece of shrink wrap you can imagine that once covered our boat (never know when you might need that😝).                              
-Papers galore and toys, some broken waiting to be used in the next project or experiment, along with shelves and shelves of beloved old books.
-Cushions and afghans of every kind that became makeshift seats for the impromptu movie projected on the wall.
-Drums, shakers, and noise makers of all sizes.
-Boxes and boxes that chronicle purchases of shoes, small appliances, keyboards, guitars, etc. that might be used to wrap a present or store something else.
-Little Tyke van, tricycles, and bicycles.
-John Deere tractors and corn planters.
-Ping pong, pool, and foosball tables.
-Guest bed, bunk bed, baby bed.
-Etc. Etc. Etc.
OH THE MEMORIES!!

But for the past seven weeks, my job has been to empty out my house! When we made the decision to move I couldn't imagine how I would ever manage to clean out the basement. Bit by bit, with the help of family and friends (a big thanks to all who helped!), slowly there was less and less left. I was ecstatic to have finished cleaning it out just in time for the last of Daniel's infamous bonfires. As the kids came over, I was excited to show off the clean basement. As I walked down the stairs with one teenager, tears streamed down her face as she mourned, "It's so sad; everything we had so much fun with is gone!" Perspective!!! After all my work, I saw clean basement. She saw end of fun times. And for a moment, I sat & cried with her!!

Perspective!! So many things in life are all about perspective. I contemplated. I was struck by an image of a cross and the perspective of that. For some, the image of Jesus on the cross was of just another person in history dying. For me the image of the cross is Jesus. Son of God, Lord of lords, my Savior, Salvation of the world!! Not only did Jesus die on that cross to pay the price of my sins, but He rose from the dead conquering death! John declares, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." John 20:30-31

I pray that you seek God and will have the wonderful perspective of Jesus as your Savior! What's your perspective?

Decluttered Delights

Is your heart and home cluttered?  

With 4 boys and a husband, who must get about 1500 pieces of mail a month, not to mention living in the same home for a while (no cleaning out for moves), the accumulation of stuff seems overwhelming to me at times.  When we moved into our home, our basement was almost empty, filled with a few boxes and several tricycles! Many winter moments of fun, while my then 2 year and 4 year old, and sometimes their friends, rode around and around the 1500 square foot  basement.  But after many years, this box and that table and the old clothes and the treasures that came from our parents' homes and so on settled in our basement. The basement bulged with belongings galore...As did many other rooms in our home.

Throughout the years I've been briefly motivated by different articles and speakers to fight the clutter battle.  A few weeks ago, my husband and I listened to a radio broadcast that has spurred us on to ardent action. Listen here to Focus on the Family Radio Brodacast with Kathi Lipp http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/clearing-out-the-clutter

The key points that helped me:

*Ask these questions;

1. Do I currently use this?
2. Do I love it?
3. Would I buy it again?

*Your unused stuff could be someone else’s treasure. Kathi shared a story of finding an $8 pair of “perfect shoes” for her son at the thrift store at a time when her budget was tight.  Someone else may love the unused stuff clogging your drawers. (Kathi J Miller, another excellent speaker and author on clutter-free living, describes this as passing our stuff onto our “family members”-other brothers and sisters in Christ.)

Taking the bull by the horns, I took the “2000 Things Challenge” http://media.focusonthefamily.com/fotf/pdf/fof_daily_broadcast/2016/ffde20160108-the-2000-things-challenge.pdf

My goal was to rid my home of 2000 things by spring break.  “Oh Mom, you will have that done by the end of January, “ declared my son, Daniel. Well, Daniel was right!  Easter Seals called about an hour after I listened to the Clutter-free broadcast and asked me if they could do a pick-up the following Monday. Six days later, with the help of my youngest 2 sons and my husband, we had already cleared out over 700 things.  After a few days of taking care of “regular business”, I thankfully felt motivated to get back to work.  Since the days of January have been dark and dreary, I figured the basement was my next target.  Oh what a wealth of stuff to throw out or pass onto to my “family” in Christ.

In the meantime, a favorite blogger of mine, Sara Borgstede’s blog is also running a clutter-free series. Here’s a great one on how to go paperless. http://www.saraborgstede.com/5-easy-steps-to-start-going-paperless/

And if you have school-aged children, here is a must read (many of these ideas I have used to try to keep sane with four boys) http://www.saraborgstede.com/5-helpful-tips-for-organizing-kids-school-papers-and-schedules/

Here are my CLUTTER-FREE DELIGHTS so far:

*In December I could not find my Christmas rug buried in the depths of my laundry closet.  Thankfully after I attacked the closet, I have found the rug along with other missing items. Every time I open the closet I breath I sigh of relief that I can now easily put my hand on whatever I need.

*My tupperware and plastics cupboard overflowed; I’m sure you know what I mean.  After clearing out over 75% of it, I am so happy that I have room a handy shelf for my favorite crystal bowl wedding presents that were kept in a cupboard too high to reach.

*The once overstuffed drawers now easily close minus socks and other clothes that I should have ditched years ago.  Let’s face it. I want to wear my newer thicker running socks and those old thin ones make better rags than socks. Everytime I open a cleaned-out drawer, I smile with delight.

*Having college-aged kids brings up questions, of which I can’t remember the answers. The unanswered questions of “What did I pay for college?” or “What did I earn during my internship?” are no longer unanswered... Answers found in boxes that I am sorting through!

*As I read old cards and letters, I am blanketed in the warmth and love of family & friends. So many fun memories. How blessed I am with the love of grandparents and parents, and even though they are now in heaven, I am still learning from their example and expertise as I read their words of wisdom and advice.

*Family reunion entertainment abounds. I am gathering old letters and cards to read at our family reunion this summer; I can already hear the laughter.

*I have found treasures of special family history. Now  I have them filed where I can find them as opposed to a buried box in the basement.

*Money. Buried in cards or boxes, I have found a $50 gift card to a favorite restaurant, several brand new $20 bills from Christmas 2013, a jar of coins, and a Kwik Trip card.

On February 11, Orphan Grain Train,  another of my favorite charities, has a collection date and I will be ready to deliver more gems!  I’m starting on my second “2000 Thing Challenge”.  Do you want to join me?