Christmas Uncluttered Day 9 & 10

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Clearly I missed you all on days 9 & 10 BUT our family did not miss adding items to the “give away” box. With the busy schedules and events of the Christmas season, I found myself exhausted. My daughter and I fell asleep watching TV together on day 9 (can’t blog with my eyes shut.) and after a full day of work and kid activities on day 10, I thought it in everyone’s best interest to wait and write to you this morning.

We have now added 330 items to our “give away” pile! The pile is growing so tall and wide that it has literally taken over the kitchen. Although already overwhelming, my goal is to organize and move it to the laundry room (this weekend) so that we at least don’t continue to fall over it.

Only 10 days in and we are exhausted. My family is exhausted hearing from the “Donation Nazi” (me), I am exhausted reminding them to put their items in the box, and we are all growing weary every time we look at the rapidly expanding pile staring us in the face every time we walk through the kitchen.

As we were driving home from school this week, the kids calculated how many items we would give away by Christmas Day and were shocked at the thought of it (of course, I already knew the final count and had to laugh at their facial expressions). “We will have nothing left!” My response? “Exactly! Isn’t that awesome?”

No matter how exhausting this journey is, I know that it’s for good. There are other families out there who have nothing and will be so grateful to receive our “give away” items. In fact, as much as I hate to admit it, they are going to receive brand new items. You know, the ones that have never been opened, are still in the box, still have the tag, or were only used one time.

I hope I’m not alone in this life of excess. I pray you too will join us on this journey if you haven’t already. It’s challenging but we will not grow weary in doing good.

Merry Christmas,

Paige

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Christmas Uncluttered Day 8

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Today I’m dragging from lack of enthusiasm with our family project. I found myself going to each family member’s room and asking for their items for the “give away” box. Clearly they’re over Christmas Uncluttered. I was even referred to as the “Donation Nazi” (but they all still participated and slowly added their items to the “give away” box).

Once today’s effort was complete, we stood around the overwhelming pile of items while complaints were shot at me about how this project is taking over the kitchen! I proceeded to let everyone know that I would move it to the laundry room before the weekend. Wouldn’t you know, the response was, “How can you do that, the laundry room already looks like this?”

This journey is so eye opening! We want so many things and then when we have them they become distracting, in our way, and causing affliction in our lives. Call me what you wish but I’m certain if we are joyful in our hope of God, patient in affliction from others, and faithful in our prayer life, God will take care of it.

I’m so grateful for Christ’s love and protection.

Merry Christmas!

Paige

Christmas Uncluttered Day 7

We boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:2(b)-5

Ok, I admit it, this journey of a Christmas Uncluttered is definitely developing perseverance for me. I know our God of hope will pull our family through this journey as he has done many times before. Those who know me can tell you that I’m a ‘getter done’ type of person. If this activity were up to me, I’d shovel the whole house into the driveway and call it a day. BUT I feel that this family activity is better spent as a journey, especially during the season of Christmas.

Our “give away” items have spilled out of the box and onto the floor of our kitchen. We are exploring and discussing outdated items such as flip phones (no offense to those of you who still have one) and trading each other, all while the dog keeps finding his own treasures in the “give away” box and running through the house with them. As I walk through the house picking up stray items, I find myself wanting to fall to the floor and pitch a two-year old fit but I will choose to forego that and instead make a plan B.

Each day I will pray for God to teach me through this journey – perseverance, character, and hope. And along the way, no matter how frustrating, I will boast in the hope of the glory of God!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Blessings, Paige

Christmas Uncluttered Day 5

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

Today, our cleaning of rooms and putting items in the “give-away box was rather uneventful. Everyone seemed to have a full day of activities so our morning started early. One of my three teens stayed home to do homework and continue cleaning out his room. Although he has a bit to go, amazingly, all of his desk drawers are cleaned out and his give-away pile is growing. The anticipation of having an uncluttered and clean house is so rewarding.

As we mop, wash, fold and clean our house, I am reminded that Christmas is a time to also prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child. We sweep out the corners of our hearts, cleaning up the clutter, to make space for God’s hope, peace, joy, love and presence.

Tomorrow is a new day, and one day closer to the anticipated celebration of Jesus’ birth. And tomorrow everyone owes double to the “give away” box (we will see how that turns out)!

I hope you too are experiencing the opportunity to clean house and your hearts in anticipation of the Christ child.

Merry Christmas!
Paige