Release and Receive

Is anyone else in the middle of some major fall cleaning? To me, it’s even more important than spring cleaning because I want to know I’m going into the cold months, where the house is all closed up for weeks at a time, with an organized and clean space. I can’t stand the thought of being cooped up inside until spring without doing a deep cleaning of my living quarters.

Fall cleaning also means purging a bunch of stuff as well. Purging, pruning or whatever you want to call it - I always have several boxes and bags of things to throw out and/or take to charities when I’m done. Being able to open cabinets and closets that have been neatly organized and feel there is breathing room in my small house is a MUST for me getting through the winters months in a good head space.

I’m currently listening to this book on audible, which is helping get me motivated:

And of course, looking back through my book from the queen of decluttering, Marie Kondo is helping too:

I absolutely hate clutter. But I also struggle with deciding what to get rid of. I’ll bet many of you do too. Whether I’m trying to declutter a closet, one of my digital devices, or my brain, I go through the same struggle. I know there are many things taking up space that aren’t serving me well anymore, but I’m still a bit reluctant to walk away from jeans in my closet that don’t fit anymore, computer files that I haven’t used in who knows how long, or old ideals or beliefs still rolling around in my brain that I don’t subscribe to anymore. These things haven’t helped me for YEARS, so why do I hang on to them?

Release and receive.

Getting rid of things that I don’t need anymore has three benefits:

1. Something that is just sitting around not being used at my house might be something that someone else is in need of. Do I really need 14 coats crammed in my hall closet? Do I honestly need THAT many choices? NOPE. Giving them to Goodwill, Salvation Army or some organization that helps distribute to others in need is a good thing for me AND for whoever receives the coat (or whatever else I can part with that’s just overkill in my home/life).

2. It gives you room to properly store the things that you choose to keep without being overwhelmed by constant clutter. When I get to the point where I can’t find the things I actually use and need because I’m continually sorting through a bunch of crap that I DON’T use anymore but refuse to get rid of, that’s when I know I’m just being, well… greedy. And complicating my life by refusing to release those things.

3. It frees up room for me to accept new and better things into my life! If I continue to hold on to jeans, files, ideals etc… that don’t fit me anymore, there is no room to add things in that actually might improve my life.

We must release to receive.

Is there something you are holding on to with a tight fist right now? Something that you just refuse to let go of? Something that isn’t serving you well anymore?

—a relationship

—a religion

—unrealistic expectations

—a job

—an identity (how you think of yourself)

—a status

—money

—an emotion (bitterness, resentment, anger, grief etc…)

There are so many things that we hold on to that actually are hurting us, rather than benefitting us, right? I’ve been so guilty in the past of clinging to people, things, emotions that I know aren’t good for me, yet there is an odd comfort to them. They are familiar to me because I’ve been carrying them as a part of me for so long. And change is scary. At least it is for me and honestly, for most people I know. So we stay right where we are, even though we might be miserable, because we are too afraid of living life with open hands, rather than those tightly closed fists we know so well.

I don’t know about you guys, but for me, it’s all about trust. I struggle to trust that what I release will be replaced with something as good, or better.

Last week, this was one of my morning readings in my favorite devotion book, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young :

“WORSHIP ME in the beauty of holiness. All true beauty reflects some of who I AM. I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away. I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that—abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence. This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment. Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.”*

I’ve spent way too much time in my life "grasping and controlling” - or at least trying to control. Many times I never really had the control I thought I did anyway. Control of my family, friends, or situations. Control of what others thought of me. Control of my future.

What I do have control of is my thoughts and actions. And so this week, as I’m clearing out the clutter in my home, I’m going to try and remember to stop holding on to many other things that I think I can’t live without and release. Ahhhhh… just saying that word over and over to myself as a little mantra this morning makes me feel lighter. I have the ability to release today… and so do you.

That will be my word during my centering prayer time each morning this week. Maybe you might use it too. Let’s see how much better we all feel. :-)

Release…. and receive.

Have a beautiful week, my friends.

Much love to you —- Marcia

*from the Jesus Calling devotional on Nov. 7th