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Simplifying Your Life By Natalie Stephans
What started out as
a downsizing project for me became a dramatic change in my life.
Something wonderful happened in my heart and in my life.. it became
simpler in the most wonderful ways.
And why do you
worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not
labor or spin. Matthew 6:28
This verse has a
comforting image of a beautiful loving Father that takes care of
everything, the creator of such a beautiful flower as the lily has an
even deeper love for you my friend, how much more does He love us His
children? Christ urges us in this passage of Matthew 6 25-34 to trust in
Him and cease our constant worries.
Too many
material things for me was a lack of faith, a worry that if I did not
provide for myself whom would? So as my downsizing efforts were underway
something in my spirit was set free to trust in a loving God that is our
Provider. "God will provide" was the message that rang out clearly in
all of this effort for me. My friend... that is what I want to urge for
you this day, let God be your provider!
Where do you start
you may say? I would go room by room. Keep only what is useful and what
you truly love. Sometimes you will say but this is really too good to
let go of but I urge you to really reason this out. Do you use it
and how long has it been since you have? What is your emotional
attachment to it? Are you willing to let go and trust that God will
bring you something even more perfect? Has your style changed and could
you pass it on to someone else that will love and treasure it? There is
a wonderful feeling in sharing and blessing others with your treasures.
Take your time
overdoing it seems to be very overwhelming. Set a timer and do a little
each day. Give in every way that you possibly can. Give, then give some
more! You will love this part it makes you feel so good inside and the
blessing will fall back upon you! Give to different charities, to
those families in need, to the library they often accept videos and used
books and let go of the rest if it is time to just put it in the trash
then just trash it and never look back. Freedom is the end result, you
will fly with wings of strength in giving.
As I let go of so
many material things I was able to organize and keep only what I loved
and would truly use. That was my rule do I love and do I use it? If not
let it go. My cabinets no longer were so full and chaotic but they were
clean and organized, it was amazing, before I was frustrated to pull out
a serving dish because I would have so much stacked up on it. Now I have
to tell you ladies.. I always considered myself a clean organized person
but I was surprised at how much I was holding on to and for what? How
many baking dishes could I possibly use at one time? I pared everything
down to the practical and now I easily pull out the exact dish I need to
use each time. I think each and every purchase out before I buy anything
and if there is something I do need I let my husband and children know
so they can purchase it as a lovely gift. The same thing with clothes,
my closet is so much cleaner and I kept only the very best and what I
really love to wear. It is wonderful I cannot tell you this enough. Let
go of the extra baggage. God has the most interesting ways of providing
what you will love! Give Him a chance to show this to you!
It had a snowball
effect soon I was examining every area of my life and
simplifying everything else that I could. Meals are fun to plan, I try
to feed us foods high in nutrition and recently have really been
studying ways to eat well, yet save as much money as possible. My life
is an adventure with so much more to learn. Be open to learning, if
someone seems to have things really together in an area you do not
then make a time to meet with them and learn. Watch what they do or make
a quick ten minute phone call and write down all the things that work
for them, I mean really work for them!! Keep a small notepad handy you
never know what you will see and hear that could change your life.
Life is becoming so
clear to me-- loving God, my family and friends becomes so much easier
without all the clutter. I no longer worry if I have enough any more
either. Improvise if you don't have it, that has been fun too, it helps
stir the creative spirit in me! Please know that God provides for us in
so many small and sometimes dramatic ways. I have time to do the things
I love like writing, cooking, decorating and traveling. You will be
amazed if you commit to this effort. It has been one of the biggest
journeys of my life and I feel so much more peace within.
God bless each one
of you precious ladies and I am praying for you to begin your journey
today too, Natalie Stephens Luke 10 41-42...
By Natalie Stephens |