Getting more out of life with less

[A day after new years a pipe burst in our home and so began the process of saving “things.” And mopping up water and throwing things out… I spoke at a church not too long ago and remember saying that I wanted more out of life with less in it. Well, that statement is coming true.  I was already purging and riding my life of to much stuff but the flood makes some of the decisions for you.  I have been blessed with a great team of helpers. Denise Servpro showed up to be the voice of reason, which was that this was much worse than I thought it was.  And with firmness combined with gentleness she continues to maneuver me through this process.  So Denise, Bobby, Dillon and a team of movers are helping us pack up our lives so we can begin to rebuild once again.

Those of you who follow Winters and me and the SONs know that is not a new thing for us.  We have rebuilt our lives many times. Whether rebuilding after moves, deaths or job loss. Life is often about rebuilding.  But it is times like these that test us.  It test our nerves, our patience, our love, our hearts and most of all what we really value. In the midst of all this Winters and I will celebrate our wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks, we continue to run our new company and love and raise The SONs.  Like all families we are juggling a lot.   Life is not easy.  But it is good and we are to find joy in the journey.   The bible says, in the end it is all hay, wood and stubble.  It is indeed. What is eternal is love, family and friends.  I still have my family and now I have new friends and will have much less stuff.  I wrote the following blog several years back and hope it inspires you on your own journey of letting go.]

Are you tired of the same-old same-old?  Are you tired of your life and all the “STUFF” in it?

For those of you who know me well, you know I usually think that “more is more” and for the most part, I think stuff  is a good thing. Yet at the same time, sometimes “STUFF” must go!  Sometimes more stuff is just that-  more “Stuff”.

Well, fear not, there is great news for us!  It’s a new year and that is a perfect time to say “out with the old and in with the NEW!”   I am not talking about purging the excesses in your life just so you can start hauling in all kinds of new STUFF.

No, what I am talking about is letting go of the old and embracing the new.  The new things God has for you.  Letting go of  all the old “Stuff” in your life that is weighing you down and holding you back.

We must be willing to let go of the things that are holding us in bondage and keeping us captive and enslaved.  It is only then that we can be free.   And the only one to bring true freedom is Jesus Christ. For as we know, whom the Son sets free is free indeed!  God is ready and willing to help us. But we must be willing to surrender what is holding us back.

For those of you who follow my blog or have heard me speak, you know the journey I have been through these past four years dealing with my parent’s decline in health, and finally their deaths just within the last 15 months.

We became the “proud” owners of far too many sheds as “Winters” post shows.  Between my parents’ stuff and our stuff and moving back and forth across the country, we simply had too much “Stuff.” I have spent much of the last few years sorting. Sorting stuff.  My mother had a love for “stuff.”  She saw the beauty in everything, hence she had a lot of stuff she loved.  That was her thorn in the flesh, so needless to say she left me a lot to sort.

So as I said I have spent much of the last year sorting.  Sorting feelings, sorting memories and most of all sorting stuff.  I had to sort. It had to be done.  Last week we said farewell to one one of those sheds.  Letting go is a good thing.

But, there have been many days of questions and reflections as I have purged.  The should ofs, the would ofs and the could ofs.  Yet that is simply looking over my shoulder and into the pas. And for the most part, that will get you nowhere fast. And for anyone who has done any amount of sorting/purging,  I am sure you can relate to my pain. It is tedious, frustrating and exhausting.

That is of unless of course unless you are my dear husband. “Winters” loves to clean out.  I think it actually gives him some kind of crazy endorphin rush. And once “Winters” is on a roll, well, it is very likely he may just toss me and the flying dog right out the window.   However, the Sons of Thunder are far to0 fast for him. He can be ruthless when letting go of  stuff. So much for seeing the beauty in everything!  I admire that in him – as long as he doesn’t touch my stuff.

Now a word of caution as you sort through the “Stuff”. As I already mentioned, it is impossible not to sort through memories too.  And as you sort through the memories a flood of them will probably come  flying at you.

It’s like when you open a closet, a closet that is suddenly packed full of stuff and right after you told The Sons to pick up their rooms.

This would be the Middle SON of Thunder.  He is a genius in this regard.  Sometimes number #2 Son hides stuff so well we can’t find it for a year.  Sadly, we do the same thing with feelings, memories and the pains of our life too.  Sometimes we  hide, stuff and shove it because we don’t want to deal with it or we simply don’t know how to. The “Stuff” that is.

But the “Stuff” always has a way of getting out and cluttering up and complicating our lives.  So we must deal with it.  It has to be done.

OK, so here is the bottom line.  We all have “Stuff.”  Your stuff may literally be stuff, but maybe not. Your stuff might be overeating, overspending, over drinking or over whatever (you fill in the blank).  We all have stuff  to work through.  But today is the day to start dealing with the “STUFF”.
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I encourage you to get busy living!  Living the life God has called you to fulfill for His glory.  Let go of the past and the” Stuff” that is holding you back.  The clutter, the junk, the pain of the past or whatever your thorn in the flesh is. Let it go!  If you can’t in your own strength do it, then ask God to help. But now is the time.  Today is the Day.

I am talking about those life changing goals and plans.  As I said in another post, ask yourself what can you do today that will change your life forever tomorrow?   Maybe this is the year to really commit to go deep with God. Your drug of choice may be shopping to feel good and get your high.  You may use alcohol  as an emotional manager and to numb your pain in your life.  Whatever you are doing to an extreme has got to come to a screeching halt.  And dear friend, this year is as good as any to start afresh and anew.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. So go for it!

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Really sweet friends, today is the day to make a new choice to will alter the course of your life and your future forever. Today is the day to not do the same thing over again and expect a different result. Do something different!

This may sound hard. But the God of the Universe, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings will help you. His word says” Ask and you will receive. Knock and the door shall be opened”.

Here is a simple prayer that you may use as a guide to ask Jesus for help.  I have prayed something like this a million times. It is a guide to help you if you need it.

Dear Jesus, I ask that you help me as I lay down the things in my life that are holding me back from living the abundant life and the life you have for me.  Give me strength and courage to make new choices that are healthy ones.  Increase my faith and help me Lord to walk fully in you. Deliever me Lord from my “Stuff” and my addictions and dependencies that I have put before you.  Heal me Lord in the name of Jesus and set me free!

Now start right now celebrating  your healing and walk in it!

It is a new day and you are a new creation in Christ.

And remember you are not your mother.  You are not your father. You are not your sister or your brother.  You are You.  You are not defined by anyone but Jesus Christ and He alone.  He, my friends, calls you glorious!

This is your year to be changed and to step into the new.

Embrace your life with hope and expectancy!

This is the year for God to fulfill the dreams he has birthed in your heart .

You can do it!

Be blessed and encouraged, dear friend

You are a gift!