What do we hold on to?

We are selling the house. Yes we love this house but we are selling it. We have lived here for 14 years and the last daughter is moving out this weekend. So we are downsizing.

Have you ever had to go through the accumulation of 14 years of STUFF?

Actually it's more like 30 years of stuff because we just moved the stuff from one place to the next. This time is different because we always moved up but now we are moving down.

Why did we keep some of this stuff? What purpose does it really have? Did I really think my children would want to dress their children in the same clothes they wore? Did I really need to save the wrapping paper from my bridal showers and baby showers?

Why is it so hard to let go of stuff?
Why am I having such a hard time with some of it?
I don't even remember some of it so I wouldn't have known if I had it or not.

Well it has to be done. So back into the thick of it I go...


Trash is the easy part...or is it? What actually constitutes trash? Some is obviously trash, now don't laugh at me but I have been scanning stuff before I actually throw it away. How ridiculous does that sound?

I have neat receipts so anything that is a receipt or document is getting digitized.
Now that doesn't sound so bad. Does it?
Except where do I draw the line? I have scanned receipts for McDonalds from 1979! Why?
I have no idea why I can't draw the line. I don't need those and now I have digitized trash.

Do we do this in our spiritual lives?

I like to think that I can deal with the trash in my life. But do I really?

How many times do I watch trash on TV when I really should just turn it off?
Do I really believe I can handle it and sort out the bad and keep the good?
Isn't that just justifying my carnal nature because I want to watch it?
I can say that I don't gossip but then why watch "reality" shows filled with gossip?
I can say that I don't stir up trouble but then why watch shows that are nothing but trouble between people?
I can say that I don't dwell on evil but then why watch shows filled with murders and violence?

Wow! It's amazing the trash we allow into our lives and then actually have trouble throwing it away.

I think I will make an effort to deal with all the trash in my life. Thank you God for dealing with my trash.

Why Do We Hurt Each Other Like That?

Why?


I really want to know. Why?
Why does one part of the body hurt another part of the same body? Shouldn't we build each other up? Why are we the ones who bring the pain and condemnation to our brothers and sisters? I weep with sorrow over the pain all around me. Why?

I know that we live in a fallen, sinful world. I see persecution from the world on the body of Christ. But why does the body of Christ inflict pain on itself? Make it stop! Please make it stop! I am begging you to think before you speak. I beg of you to stop and think before you judge another. Are you without sin yourself? Do you really believe God told you to kick one of His little children when they are already falling down? Just STOP IT!