Let it Go! … No, Seriously, Just Let it Go!
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 12:1-3, Ecclesiastes 4:12
You Can Do It! Let it Go!
When I was about 7 years old, my mom bought new pillows. We lived paycheck to paycheck, and I didn’t ever remember having a new pillow. I was in awe of these new white, fluffy pillows. I was happy to get something new and couldn’t wait to sleep on my new pillows. But first, I had to go to my room and change out the old pillows and replace them with my new pillows. I went to my room, and I guess I never noticed how old, tattered, and flat my old pillows were. I put my new pillows on my bed and went to my mom with my old pillows. I asked her, “What now? What do I do with these old ones?” And she said something that I never imagined, “Throw them away in the dumpster.” Had this woman forgotten that these pillows had been with me every night for the past 2 years? And suddenly, I was just supposed to throw them out? But my wise mother knew that it was time to depart from the flimsy, discolored piece of cotton. As I walked the short path to the dumpster, I nearly cried. Saying goodbye with each step and opening the lid to the dumpster, it hit me! “They are just pillows.”
I brought up this story because many times in my life, I have held on to things for the sake of holding on to it. They were familiar or comfortable (emotional pain or hurt). Some things were safe and so I just held on to them. The reality is that they were unhealthy relationships, toxic friendships and/or unfulfilling materialistic things.
Scripture says, to bring your pain to God. Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke on you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and My load is not hard to carry.” In my faith walk, I have had many highs and some lows. Some days I feel confident in my faith and other days I feel like a horrible Christian. As women, we compare our journeys with other women. The thing is, what we don’t know is what other are going through each day and moment of their lives. One thing I hope we can agree on is that life is not easy. Being a daughter, a sister, a mother, a friend, an auntie, a mentor means that we have other people in our lives. Relationships can create happiness and it can create hurt.
God gave us the ultimate gift of salvation by the blood and sacrifice of His beloved Son, Jesus. It is through Him and by Him that we can let go of our past life of sin. Whatever happened in the past can be made new in Jesus’ name.
Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Discussion Questions:
- Tell a time when it was hard to let go of something or someone.
- Read Matthew 11:28-30. After reading this Scripture, did it give you comfort?
- What do you struggle holding onto? (Family heirlooms, gifts that you really don’t like or have no use for, greeting cards, clothes that may fit someday.)
- Are there unhealthy relationships that you let go in the past or are there any you are dealing with currently?
- According to Hebrews 12:1-3, what are we encouraged to let go of?
- What do you need to let go of?
For the past 35 years, I have made it a point to look at my closet and drawers to de-clutter things that I am overlooking. Like I stressed earlier, I became comfortable with the safe and familiar ‘pillows’ and didn’t realize how it may have been affecting my health. De-cluttering doesn’t mean that you are going to eliminate everything you own. What it does mean is that you are going to intentionally look at the things you own and evaluate your clutter.
I started following Dawn Madsen, The Minimal Mom, on YouTube a few years ago. She has some great pointers and she’s funny. https://www.theminimalmom.com/ She uses the Onion Method to declutter her home. The first layer is trash. Some things are just trash (my junk drawer is usually full of receipts and candy wrappers). The next layer are items you don’t need or use any longer. For me this meant cookbooks that I hadn’t used for at least 2 years. Why did I have them when I wasn’t using them? I usually end up searching recipes online anyway. You keep moving through the layers until you have let go of duplicate items and those items you are keeping for that “someday” (which may never come).
Decluttering Tips & Methods:
How to Declutter: The Onion Method, Minimalism Basics
(Approximately 12 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA2NAoKNxUs
Refreshments.
Since we are talking about the Onion Method, serve onion refreshments: French onion soup, onion rings, chips and onion dip.
One in, One Out. Here is another easy tip to keep clutter from growing. For every one thing that comes into your home, there is one thing going out. Donate to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store or another non–profit thrift store.
Lent Decluttering Challenge. This year, Lent begins on February 18. Spend the 40 days before Easter decluttering your home with the 40 bags in 40 days challenge. https://www.letmeorganizeit.com/declutter-for-lent-40-bags-in-40-days
Why do It alone?
You can get your friends to help with a ‘declutter party.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message) says, “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst.” Can you round up a third? A three–stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” Can get your friends to help with a ‘declutter party.’ https://www.oprah.com/home/host-a-declutter-party-quick-ways-to-organize/all
Have a Corps Declutter Party
As a women’s group, put things into practice and declutter the corps kitchen, Women’s Ministries or craft closet.
