Whether you were blessed with an abundance of Christmas gifts or found too many end-of-year sales you couldn't pass up, there's a good chance you entered 2013 with more gadgets than you had last year. Instead of buying storage bins or stuffing more in the closet, use the new year as an opportunity to do a post-Christmas purge.
I realize that purging perfectly good household items can be difficult. You've worked hard. You've scrimped, saved, and found great deals, but you've ended up with more than you need. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
Your closet is overflowing with clothes, but you can't find a thing to wear.
You have six small appliances in your kitchen that you've only used twice.
The garage is packed with so many boxes there isn't room for your vehicle.
As a Christ-follower, you want to be a good steward of all you have. Our goal should be to use everything we own as tools to further the kingdom and "collect for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). However, storing duplicates and extra parts in a box where moth and rust destroys, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19) doesn't get you closer to the goal. If you've found you have more stuff than room to store it, spend time clearing out the clutter and then find someone who needs it more than you.
Clear the Clutter
If you're ready to clear the clutter, determine what you have time to tackle. Don't feel pressure to conquer the entire house. Small steps eventually lead to big impact.
Start your de-cluttering journey by getting a trash bag and a box for collecting items to be donated. As you move through your home, you'll likely find empty bottles, old makeup, and other items that should be trashed rather than donated. As you consider adding items to the donation box, ask yourself the following questions:
Does it add value to my life?
Do I use it?
Do I like it?
Does it fit?
Is it a duplicate?
Can I easily replace it if I actually need it one day?
Could someone else benefit from it?
If you find you don't need the item, but it's still a struggle to let go, consider putting it in a separate pile and pray about it throughout your de-cluttering day.
Donate to Others
Once you've made headway in your quest to streamline, don't be tempted to stash the box in your home. Instead, give out of your excess. Determine the best donation option and give it away.
Idonate.com is a software solution that permits an organization to accept cars, RVs, boats, and cellphones. They process and sell the inventory and then donate the proceeds to the nonprofit association of your choice.
Donationtown.org is perfect for the family who wants to de-clutter large items. Just type in your zip code to find a charity that will pick up your donations for free.
Adoption fundraising yard sales are becoming widely popular. If you have friends in the adoption process, there's a good chance they would gladly take your cast-offs.
Refugee centers and spouse abuse centers always have a need for donations. Since the centers provide free-of-charge living quarters and furnishings to residents, anything from bath towels to frying pans is needed.
Just ask. If you have several good items in need of a home, send an email to family or tell friends on social media what you're giving away. You just might be purging the exact item they want.
Set an Example
Teach your children that generosity has spiritual rewards. As the writer of Proverbs so eloquently stated, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will give a reward to the lender" (19:17). Generosity leads to a heart change. When you provide for those in need, you not only store up treasures in heaven, but you also break the hold that possessions can have on you. When your kids see you have a spirit of generosity throughout the year, they'll grow up with a giving heart as well.
An earthly advantage to remember is that a clean, organized home far outweighs the benefits of keeping that rarely used (fill in the blank) you've been saving. Less clutter means less cleaning and less maintenance; plus you're more likely to actually find — and use — what you have.
This article is courtesy of HomeLife Magazine.