Elizabeth Elliott said, "A house that is cluttered is usually lived in by people whose minds are also cluttered, who need to simplify their lives. This begins with simplifying and clarifying their thinking. Mind and life need to be freed from the ‘disorder of the unnecessary."
I posted this on my Facebook page and a woman asked how to achieve this in practical steps. I would think the first thing would be to get rid of clutter. Get rid of everything you don't use or haven't used in a long time. Get rid of a lot of knick knacks. If you have four potato mashers, get rid of two or even three of them. If you haven't worn a piece of clothing for over a year, get rid of it unless it is for a special occasion.
This is a lot easier for people like me who aren't very sentimental and don't like clutter. I love a simple, uncluttered look. I know many of you aren't like me and I don't expect you to be BUT there are always things you can get rid of no matter how much you like knick knacks and how sentimental you are. You must no longer use those as excuses and begin purging your life of unnecessary things.
Having a lot of things just means more things to take care of and to clean. We were never meant to store our treasures here on earth. If you have little children, yes, your home will get messy. However, they don't need a lot of toys and teach them to put them away at an early age. People shouldn't expect you to have a perfectly clean and tidy home when you have children, but you can work on getting it to look more organized.
Clutter's Last Stand is a GREAT book to get if you need help in the decluttering department. Even when it comes to Christmas decorations, do you really need that many? I know some people go ALL out for holidays and decorate their homes. I follow some blogs who do this and they are lovely homes. If that is your thing, go for it but many just don't have the space to store it all or the time to put it all up and take it all down. I have just pared mine down to a few of my favorite and most meaningful things.
Some will complain that they just don't have the discipline to keep an orderly, uncluttered home. YES you do!!! If you are a believer and filled with the Holy Spirit, you have self-control since it is a fruit of the Spirit. Stop saying you aren't disciplined and remind yourself who you are in Christ and that you have ALL you need for life and godliness.
Therefore, take small steps and begin decluttering one area of your home. Have your children help you. Part of your job as a keeper at home is to keep a well-run home and a home with no clutter is always a more peaceful home and a whole lot easier to keep clean and tidy than a cluttered one. It will be good for your body, mind and soul!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22,23
