Ecclesiastes 3: 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Am I just noticing, or have yard and garage sales always been a week long event? I’m not talking about the multi-state ones, I mean just the average, garden-variety, neighborhood sales. From Sunday, unfortunately, all the way to Saturday.It seems that people just can’t wait to shed themselves of their stuff!
My past neighbor and I had yard sales together a few times. Although dragging our things out and setting up early was a little tiring, especially with people going through our treasures, regardless of what time we “officially” opened for business, we had a good time and made a little profit in the process.
My friend here recently had a clearance of her own and invited another friend and me to the “pre-sale”. The two of us got some freebies and really good deals on other things . I got a nice buffet, needs to be refinished, but usable until I get that done, for $20! I love entertaining, so getting another storage and surface area was a real win for me!
One person got a garage cleared out so vehicles would actually go in it, and others found neat new things for their homes. There was some casting away and finding there.
A few years ago, a friend gave me book on organizing (I wonder where that could be! Just kidding, somewhat.), and a good portion of it alludes to grouping things into a few categories such as “keep”, “donate” and “toss”. Somehow out of that, I typically find a new one, “not sure what to do with this” ANK! WRONG ANSWER! By developing this different section, I am essentially creating an automatic junk drawer and negating the purpose!
Today I saw something at the thrift store that hurt my feelings a bit. A sweet little birdhouse, very cute, but when I turned it over to check the price, there was a little scribble in the clay reading “To Nanna”. TO NANNA, why is it in a thrift store? Someone made it for Nanna and surely she didn’t donate it! Truth be known, cynically speaking, perhaps she wasn’t around anymore and it was left over from an estate sale (tells about my personality that I would think that, right!) . Maybe she had 10 other grandchildren who “blessed” her with crafts and she just didn’t have room in her assisted living to display everything from every one of them. Whatever the case, in good conscious, I just couldn’t buy something a child made for his beloved “Nanna”.
The Lord calls us to leave actions, things and at times, even people behind when we come to know Him as our Lord and Savior. He wants us not to hold on to what or who is in our pasts.
Our Father calls, too, for a time to keep. When we move to a new house, sometimes we purge a substantial part of what we have because it doesn’t necessarily “fit” into our place. More time than not though, because of financial reasons, family heirlooms, antiques or whatever, we simply find some way for what we already have to work.
For 37 years I lived in the same city. Since then we have moved quite a few times. I have kept in touch with my dear friends from Huntsville, of course, although I have been gone for several years.
In each location, the Lord has blessed me with wonderful, sweet friends. The only place I was surprised by was my church in Michigan. When we were there, albeit not long, the members were very friendly and we actually did things with couples outside of service, yet once gone, even after reaching out, we never heard from them again,
Some situations, things and people are brought into our lives for a season, but the only Constant we have is our Lord Jesus Christ. He Was, Is and Forever Will Be! We can count on Him without hesitation!
So cast off who (I am not advocating divorce. If you are being abused, seek help and know the Lord is concerned with your life and offers safety and protection) is spiritually, mentally, emotionally or physically unhealthy.
Throw away old habits (if you have an addiction, please seek counseling and help) and things, standing between you and the Father.
Seek the Lord’s will for your life. Let Him help you determine what direction you should take. He is the Almighty Organizer! Our Lord does not have indecisive “piles”. Everything He does is deliberate and perfect!
prayer
Father God
Thank You for guidance
For showing us what to do with the people, activities and things in our lives
Please make us willing to dispose of whatever may hinder our relationship with You
We know there are people we may need to distance ourselves from
Regardless how painful that may be
We give You praise in advance
Knowing You will allow peace within our hearts and spirits
From obeying our Mighty God
Please give us a disregard for actions of the past we once enjoyed
Fill our hearts, Lord, with what is important to You
Your Word shows that even Solomon and all of his wealth and privilege was not adorned even as much as the flowers of the field. In
Matthew 6:28-29And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
We ask that possessions are put into perspective
As things we own
Lessen their appeal to us, O God
Replace our desire for what we have, please
With a true and passionate desire for a deeper and more meaningful relationship with You and others.
In the Name of Jesus we pray
AMEN
songs
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
“Take My Life And Let It Be”
“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
“I Come To The Garden Alone”
**Thank you to my sister in Christ who pointed out the yellow was a little too light to read the other day! Please let me know if there is an issue. Also, always check me against the Word and let me know if I am not consistent with Scripture.
CREDIT: FATHER, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT, SCRIPTURE
ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE LORD, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
VERSES AND STORIES FROM THE WORD
ABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE WORD OF GOD
STORIES FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY, MY OWgoogle, youtube, biblehub, biblegateway
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