I am currently involved in a Bible study about the character of a Proverbs 31 woman. Donna Partow’s incredible book “Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be” is the foundation of our study. Donna leads us to do exercises that will help us refocus on skills we need to enrich our everyday life as women. In the third chapter, we concentrate on healthy eating and are instructed to start by cleaning out our pantry. Seeing value in this instruction, I immediately rolled up my sleeves and went to work. As I pulled each can of vegetables out to check dates, I came upon a can of green beans from 2002. Friends, I am writing this in 2011. I was amazed at first and after pondering how this could be, I realized I once had truly lived on the edge of life, working too many hours in a career and often during that time would bring home fast food for the family instead of preparing a meal from food that already had found a home in the corners of my cabinets. That is when it occurred to me. How many other corners do I need to unload of outdated thoughts, negative emotions stored up, lurking projects I can never say no to or people who are energy drainers in my life? Today, I challenge you to take inventory not just in your pantry but in your life. Roll up your sleeves and start pulling out and discarding those things which have found a place to hide in. Get rid of the “old stuff” in the corners that is holding you back from being free to grow and be the best you are capable of being.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So true…I find that purging unused or unneccesary things from my home and my life allows me space for those things that bring me more joy!