A Time to Clean: Day 1

Good morning, Ladies! Welcome to the very first day of my 30 Day Challenge: A Time to Clean.

I’ve been looking forward to this morning for weeks. Before we pick up a single dust rag, I want you to know how glad I am that you’re here. Some of you joined because the house simply needs a good fall cleaning, and some of you joined because you’ve been quietly overwhelmed for a long time now and you’re tired of feeling that way.

Whichever brought you here, you are in good company, and we’re going to take this one small step at a time.

Our verses for the month come from Ecclesiastes 3:6-7, where Solomon reminds us that there is “a time to keep, and a time to cast away.” I’ve kept house for more than thirty-five years, and I’ve learned that clutter rarely shows up all at once. It gathers slowly while we’re busy raising babies, caring for aging parents, working, serving at church, and simply living. A season of busyness leaves its mark on our homes, and sometimes on our hearts too.

It’s not that you are failing. It’s simply a sign that the season has changed and it’s time to tend what’s been waiting. So, welcome to the challenge. Let’s begin…

A Time to Begin

Look around you.

What do you see? No, really, what do you see?

When I see clutter in my house I see Failure. Regret. Discouragement. Shame.

I see wishes that have not come true and fears I have not let go. I see my life in it’s often overwhelmed state and wish that I wasn’t frozen, unable to make things really change.

I see bad habits and unmade decisions and wrong choices and mistakes I wish I hadn’t made.

This is my life.

I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky sort of gal. I see the glass half full. Like almost all the time. And yet, there are so many days when I wake up to clutter and a busy schedule and I just wish I could escape reality. The last few years added up to a lot of chaos. And even though my burnout has healed, I’m still left with the aftermath.

Okay, so for instance, I can have the main part of my house pretty much neat – and all it takes is a few busy days to ruin everything. Like, the house is a disaster within 24 hours. I was gone from home nearly everyday for the last two weeks…. 14 times 24 hours… Ugh.

Can anyone else relate? Tell me I’m not alone in this!

The problem is, the house may appear to be clean or neat when someone drops by or comes for dinner… but the truth is, I’m probably hoping no one looks in my closets, goes into the laundry room, or opens my bedroom door or pays attention to the stacks and stacks of books lying around… everywhere.

The truth is – I just have too much stuff. Stuff I don’t really even want.

So, why have I been holding onto all this stuff that doesn’t add one bit of joy to my life?

As I hold onto shame, I also hold onto stuff – stuff that tells me I’m not worthy of more than a cluttered, messy life.

As I hold onto regrets, I also hold onto stuff – stuff that tells me I routinely make bad choices – like that pair of jeans that just doesn’t fit right.

As I hold onto bitterness, I also hold onto stuff – stuff that keeps my bedroom from being a sanctuary for my marriage.

As I hold onto bad habits, I also hold onto stuff – stuff that tells me I’ll never be more than my present reality.

Repeat after me.

Today, I choose to let go of past regrets.

Today, I choose to let go of those things in my life that are trapping me under their weight.

Today, I choose to find joy and let go of clutter.

Today, I choose to let go of this world and hang onto God.

I am convinced that having less stuff will mean more joy. I am convinced that simplifying my life will mean less stress. I am convinced that getting rid of the clutter in my heart will lead to less clutter in my house.

Change isn’t easy, but it is possible. And with God ALL things are possible.

Today’s Goal

• Ask God to show you what things you are holding onto that are holding you back from your best life.
• Write down your thoughts in your A Time to Clean Journal about what He has shown you.
• This week we’re working in our Master Bedrooms. Do as much as you can to fill a bag with clutter and clean your room.
• Fill at least one bag or box full of stuff to give away.
• Take a picture of your bag. Share it in our Facebook group and Instagram if you like – use hashtag #atimetoclean
• Do your best to wake up early tomorrow, read tomorrow’s lesson and spend time in prayer.