Ordering Our Home

We are in the process of cleaning out our house. Over the past few years "pack-ratitis" has set in on many of our family members. How do we clear out stuff that looks like junk to bring things back to order without stripping some of us of everything we hold dear? I have heard of families who are diligent in giving away a toy for every toy that comes into their home or having annual yard sales. I just haven't been good about doing that or teaching it to my children. Our basement and attic has way too many relics from Ray's and my childhood ... for that matter, relics from our parents' childhood. And any way, who doesn't need giant four metal Tonka trucks?

I realize some of this stuff just needs to go! The collection of aluminum foil creations seems to have lost its glow to me, but for some reason it really needs to stay. Balding baby dolls and board books that are covered in teeth marks are just as sentimental to me, so I know there are some things that have to remain with us.

And I'm pretty sure God allowed black trash to be invented for moms who need to clean house. There is definitely a spiritual lesson to be learned here. With all of this holding on to "stuff," I hope that our real treasure is in Heaven.

While we pull things out to clean and reorganize, I have to understand that some of this "junk" is really special. I just hope that the people who shop at Goodwill finds it as special as my girls once did....