Back to the Basics

In this new season, God has really laid on my heart to give away stuff. My true inspiration came when my neighbor and good friend took on the task of eliminating stuff in her life. She started with her garage and it moved on into her house. Then the following Sunday , our sermon was on eliminating stuff. The rubbish in our lives. I'm not just talking about spring cleaning junk out of drawers etc. But getting everything we don't use right now or have double of or whatever and giving it back. I really felt that the Lord was laying this on my heart. 
We live in a world so full of materialism and things. It's really kind of sad if you think about it. We as a society are so full of adding stuff that we never think of subtracting anything unless it breaks or loses value. We are a nation constantly buying "stuff". We accumulate so much when we really don't need it. We like to have comfortable surroundings. We are all guilty of it.
If you think about it in perspective think of all the millions of people who have nothing. Those extra comforter sets you have laying around don't really mean too much. The Lord laid upon my heart to examine the contents of my life and what I am bringing into. Recently I decided to listen to Him and really reflect. I realized that I was not only spoiling myself and children with stuff but I didn't have enough room for it.  Also what was I teaching my oldest son if we never gave back . We have been so blessed that it was time to give it back to God. To get back to the basics. Starting with my most comfortable area... My home.
 God then spoke to me again at my Bible study about a women who needs baby clothes in my group. I asked her if she needed some and she said yes! Amazing how God works that way lol Then James came home that same night and told me about a girl at his work who was in desperate need of baby boy stuff... That she had nothing so whatever we could give would help. The next day I set to work and brought in all 5 BAGS of baby clothes. I organized and worked all day sorting into piles what should go to who.  After that the ball didn't stop rolling. We moved onto our room and went through all of our clothes and belonging and got rid of bags full of things we don't ever wear, we don't like etc.
Finally I was like " Alright God, I see where you are going with this."


The biggest challenge was getting Logan on board. He wasn't easy to convince that his toys should be given up. So we prayed together. We as a family talked about the importance about giving things to other people so they can be blessed. That Sunday his class happened to be talking about how it makes God happy to give things away. He was finally okay and told me that God will be happy if he gives some toys away. Praising God and thanking Him for instilling in my child a heart after Him, Logan and I set to work. Going through books and his boxes upon boxes of toys. It was so liberating for us to give toys away we didn't need anymore. 


I think when we are constantly accumulating stuff we lose our focus of God. We waver on this narrow path. It's so important to remember that this earth and all it's possessions and things will not last. Give until the last! We don't need to surround ourselves with things. Simplicity needs to take hold. I love simple organized living. Basic living.  We need to be able to shift our focus on what pleases us and focus it on what please Him. Our God! Figure out what HE wants you to do with your earthy comforts. 

Luke 12:21

 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

John 6:27-  

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

John 12:25-26

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.  Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 18:36 -

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”

In every situation God should be our focus. Even the little situations. His will and what HE wants to do in our lives should be priority number one. It's time to get back to the basics and get back to God. Let go of what we have and let God bring us to a more pleasing life in His eyes!