Every time I walk out of the garage, I walk past the same items that need to be donated. I’m done with them and have been done with them for a long time. Yet, they are still there.
I sit down at my desk and glance over to see the same paperwork that was piled there two months ago to be completed.
In the evening, I look up to the light fixture that still has a burned-out bulb.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a disorganized or messy person. My house is fairly organized and must meet my high standard of cleanliness. But my house, just like every other household, has items that never seem to get done. Can you relate?
Uncontrolled disorder and undone tasks clutter our minds.
I’ve been reading blogs relating to the topic of minimalism. With our overstimulating culture, our home is our refuge and if it is cluttered, then our mind will never get a rest. Usually this is a topic discussed in January, as part of the New Year resolution to become organized and purposeful. Lately, I’ve noticed decluttering comes to the forefront at the beginning of winter, when we move from the outdoors to spending more time inside our homes and with the approach of the Christmas season (and the need to make room for more gifted and received treasures).
In particular, I’ve read some articles about “needling” items in our life. These items are the annoying or inconvenient chores which continually irritate and prick us that they need to be done. Maybe it’s a phone call you have to make, that you’ve been thinking about every single day for the last three weeks or more. Maybe it’s a home repair that has created an inconvenience and taken more of your time sidestepping it than it would have if you had repaired it from the beginning. Or maybe it’s removing the stained clothing items you continue to reach for in your wardrobe. Whatever it is for you, I’m sure you can probably list at least 15 “needling” things without even thinking hard about it.
So what can we do about it and why is it important?
If you don’t already do so, make a daily to-do list. Tackle two easy items first so you can start crossing things off your list right away.
Next and importantly, add one needling item to your list each day. Star it. Circle it. Highlight it. Whatever you need to do. Now be sure to take a moment each day to remove that one needling item from your life. For instance, while you’re waiting for the kids to get their gear on and walk out the door for school, or you have a few minutes before you walk out the door yourself, chances are you’re near or in the kitchen. Reach into the refrigerator and toss out the old and expired condiments and bottles. Your mind will thank you.
Need some encouragement? Try it for just one week and then look back over the week to see the needling items which have been removed from your plate and have opened space for more precious things.
Order creates time for the things we love and need.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul spoke specifically about the local church and how all things including worship must be done decently and in order. In 1 Corinthians, he declares that worship should be conducted with reverence and in a language which is understood by the people without confusion.
1 Corinthians 14:33, 40
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Throughout several books in the Old Testament, the Lord also directed exactly how the tabernacle and the worship items located inside were to be arranged. Specific and ordered directions were given through Moses and the Law and were to be strictly followed.
Likewise, our everyday lives can benefit by order. When things are in disarray, chaos tends to ensue. And when chaos takes over, important items can be pushed aside, and priorities can be overlooked.
If your life is heading more towards disarray than order, try considering the approach of minimalism to turn your focus back on Him and what is important. Eliminate material items and tasks that eat up a lot of time and energy with little return. I am slowly learning this strategy as the years go by but I’m getting better at it each day.
Just before I sat down to write this post, I loaded several items in my car to take to the nearby antique store to sell. It took less than 30 minutes, but when it was done, my mind was clearer, as was my garage, and I had some cash in my pocket. And now I must remind myself to keep that space open and not refill it with something else that isn’t necessary.
I spent some time the last two weeks and went through our home files and shredded bag after bag of paperwork we no longer needed. Now the file drawers close completely, and unlike before, I can slide a piece of paper into the drawer easily.
Narrowing down the disorder, clutter, and unfinished tasks will create margins of time and focus that is essential to building relationships with not only family and friends, but also with the Lord. It gives us more time to devote to them and also to God’s Word. And that is the reset we all need.
Ponder this.
When we get motivated, achieve order, and remove the needling items, there are so many benefits. We create more space in our home and mind. We reduce anxiety and stress. We focus more fully on the person standing in front of us. We make more time for the things we love and need, including God’s Word and His work.
Take a moment to download the Shutterfly app and print out those pictures you took this past weekend so they are not lost in the digital world. Frame them to enjoy and put them on your shelf where you just got rid of the book you finished. (You did get rid of it, right? Someone else can enjoy it now.)
After you finish these last few sentences, go ahead and sit down and write the thank you note that’s long overdue. Stick a stamp on it. Oh. . . and don’t forget to mail it. In fact, walk it out to the mailbox right now.
What will you do with this day you’ve been given? How will you make it matter for His Kingdom?
I’m not a minimalist by any means and never will be but I’m organized. Do I have things that I put off doing or need to get rid of, definitely. My girlfriend was always amazed by my lists. I’ve been making lists ever since I can remember at work and home. It’s such a feeling of accomplishment when I can put a check mark beside something or a line through it.
Another thing I do at the beginning of each year is create a Goal List. Losing weight is never on the list because I would never have a check mark beside it and it would drive me crazy.😊 I may lose some but not to my goal. It may have things like repairing or upgrading things in my home, starting a new flower bed, etc.
I loved this blog post so much because I’m definitely all about organization. Thank you Beth for all the great advice especially around the chaotic holidays. My favorite saying, “organization saves time.”
Thanks for sharing these great ideas. We can all benefit from learning how others stay organized and on top of things. You’re right – Not only does it feel good, but it gives us a new margin of space and time for the important things!