Clearing Out

It is quite amazing how much rubbish we have accumulated in our house over the years!

As the days, weeks, and months, go by items are purchased, retired, or set aside in standby. Packing boxes get kept in case we need to return the item, or transport it elsewhere. Things that we enjoyed using get laid aside in favour of something new; laid aside for when we want to use it again - games, books, clothes, even a kitchen cupboard!

Yesterday we headed up into our attic and started disposing of things we know now we won't need or use again. A lot of it had got rather dirty with the dust and dirt that blows in under the roof-slates. We carted it down the loft-ladder, and then down the stairs, and loaded it into the car. The car was full - of rubbish - which we then took to the local Recycling Centre - cardboard, wood, metal, and some stuff that could only go into Landfill.

Sometimes it is good to take some time and clear out our lives. Get rid of what we don't need anymore. Throw out the things that are holding us back or causing confusion.

Questions and difficult issues can get pushed away and hidden so that they never get answered or resolved. Too often we fill our holiday time with busy-ness, instead of taking time to be still and quiet. I heard recently that one of my friends spent 6 days away at a silent retreat - no idle chatter, no conversation with friends, time to think, to read, and to pray.

Jesus interleaved times of great busyness and stress with period of stillness, peace, and prayer. Follow Him!