Scripture Motto

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Culling the Clutter Creatively turns the Chaos into Calm



After a couple of cups of coffee, I tackled the craziness of another day of culling through the clutter. I began in the crawl space, where I don’t actually have to crawl but rather lean over in the 4 foot high space. I can stand almost erect between the floor joists but lean lower under the duct work…but wished I’d have had a hardhat.

Over the 10 years of living here, this cave has become our catch-all storage area. Paint cans fill one of the three short shelving units. Several emergency containers of water on another. How and why we stored boxes of my husband’s outdated computers, printers, and books in there is beyond my achy back’s comprehension. 

With a prayer for Christ’s strength to accept the challenge before me, even move mountains, I scooted the heaviest ones across the floor—wishing they had casters—to the small opening. The more manageable ones, I carried in my curved position.  The movers won’t move things like paint, so I organized them in a crate. I stacked my husband’s tools of the trade (computers, books, etc.) so they're out of the way but conveniently located for him to sort and cull.

Next, I commenced to categorize my collection of baskets and seasonal decorations. Keeping about half, and I may see if anyone is having a garage sale where I can make a little cash from the rest.

Finally, I attacked the clutter of my youngest son’s keepsakes.

The pain of my back and the ache of my shoulders is agony but a reward of the chaos turned into calm. Knowing what I’ve accomplished …all things through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 nasb) brings joy to my soul.

“…I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. All things will be possible for you. [ 21 That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.]” Matthew 17:20-21 (ncv)

[Here’s a big shout out “Thank You” to my Facebook friends who gave me wonderful “C” word suggestions dealing with moving to help me write this piece! I tried to use all the words but found a few of them difficult to work in…so here they are: crowded, change cleaning, communications, confusions, change of address, cat carriers, china, cranky, commitment, chardonnay, cabernet, and carpets]

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14 comments:

  1. I hate clutter but you wouldn't know that if you saw my desk ;)

    Damyanti @Daily(w)rite
    Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2013

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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    1. LOL...I hear you loud and clear. I don't know who scatters the clutter around my house, but it certainly causes chaos to my thoughts. Thanks for stopping by. I'm headed to your place now. :)

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  2. Hate clutter too. :-)

    Blogging A to Z Challenge http://www.shellygoodmanwright.com/apps/blog/show/25344959-commit-to-do-it-

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    1. We all need to put cameras in our houses to see how the clutter gets into our homes and spaces! Thanks for stopping by today. I'm hopping over to yours now.

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  3. Love it! You Certainly Capitalized on the C's. :)

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  4. Thanks you. It's amazing that I constructed real sentences with my brain entrenched with the moving process. I give credit to my inspirational FB friends for all of their suggested "C" words.

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  5. I keep postponing my date with clutter. That doesn't help anyone or anything! I love organization, but it is hard to tell by look around me lately!

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    1. I hear you loud & clear. Procrastination + Clutter = Chaos to the organized person's mind...yet we let it happen. Thanks for sharing,

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  6. Ah yes, my hubby doesn't throw away any of his old computers. There's only so much room to be had!

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    1. Your comment made my day! Someone who truly understands my frustration. My hubby had a computer business for five years, so we've had boxes upon boxes of parts that today are worthless. At least we found a Goodwill Industries specifically for taking computer & electronic donations. Thanks & God bless!

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  7. Oh Merrie,
    I have a closet, an entire wall in the basement, and a small storage unit filled with my husbands "toys." What are we to do with them? I must admit that I have my fair share of things too, but the items my husband has kept are outdated, obsolete or don't work. Oh the burden we must bear.

    Keep up the good work...and remember Galatians 6:9 (NIV). "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

    Grace,
    Donna
    www.fullmeasureofjoy.com

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  8. flat surfaces are my downfall as they collect paper! I understand your frustrations & I applaud you and your efforts!

    www.wearinglemon.blogspot.com

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  9. Clutter would always be an appropriate 'c' word for me since I am always in the state of de-cluttering. How does that happen!? Good piece. I can really relate to the aching at all levels, back, head, etc. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living

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    1. I think little gremlins sneak in our houses and scatter clutter everywhere! Thanks for relating. :)

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Thank you for your thoughts and comments...God bless you