"Unstuff" Your Life

Spring is upon us and it is that time of year when we think about one thing – okay two things -- spring cleaning and garage sales. Ever notice how many garage sales are posted in the paper? It's obvious from the papers we’re not the only ones doing a little spring cleaning this time of year.

Every spring we clean the house top to bottom, inside and out. We have a small house, but we sure do have a lot of “stuff” in our little home. In an effort to keep our “stuff” to a minimum, we sift through everything in our house -- boxes in the basement, clothes in the closets, and junk in the garage. Normally, this spring cleaning process takes us the better part of a week or so and it’s a time were we set aside “stuff” we no longer use or need. When we have cleaned enough “stuff” out of the house, usually we will host a garage sale. We sell the “stuff” we don’t want, hoping others will have a use for our “stuff”. What ever doesn’t sell gets donated to Goodwill. It seems so purposeful and helpful, right? Well, I wonder how did we end up with so much “stuff” anyway?

I think there is a "spiritual" connection between us, as humans, and the amount and the kinds of "stuff" we have. I wonder if the more "stuff" someone has makes them happier or more satisfied with life? To answer my own question -- I would argue no. Personally, I must say that it feels really good inside to get rid of extra "stuff" in my life. I think it's a freeing feeling when I'm able to unclutter my life from my possessions and just get rid of "stuff" because I don't need it around anymore. I think in some ways this is what Jesus was talking about when he said to his diciples, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy...for where your treasure is there your heart will be also."