Raising Hoarders / Less is More

 

Yes, it’s true. I am raising a pack of hoarders. I guess they come by it honestly. Their great grandmother was the queen of hoarding before it ever became a TV series. Both of their grandmothers save EVERYTHING. I on the other hand tend to have the opposite problem (I get rid of things and then realize I still need them. But my lack of organizational skills requires this option over the other!)

This summer I cleaned out my oldest 2 boys room while they were away at camp. It was enlightening. And frightening at the same time. You name it, it was in the abyss that was their room: trash, school work from last year (a STILL FULL LUNCH BOX FROM LAST YEAR – and this was the middle of July…), sticks, rocks, shells, more trash, broken light sabers, broken nerf guns, incomplete decks of cards, dried food, more trash, 8,293 minuscule lego pieces, 293 fusible bead projects, 368 mini rubber bands, more trash, single socks (whose matches have been patiently waiting in my “lonely socks bin” for years), more books than one could read in a century, more trash…you get the idea.

I’m not even OCD, but I was in need of serious therapy after that endeavor. (Still recovering when I walk into their now-cleaned-out-room and see signs of the hoarding returning…)

I’ve (slowly) learned over the years that

less is TRULY more.

With less “stuff”, I can more peacefully enjoy and utilize the “stuff” I have. (I’ve read (and loved) Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but I can’t bring myself to talk to my socks …yet).

Today, I’m learning the same is true SPIRITUALLY.

If I want MORE of Christ’s power, there must be LESS of my strength.

If I want MORE faith, there must be LESS dependence on myself.

If I want MORE patience, there must be LESS perfection.

If I want MORE miracles, there must be LESS earthly-solvable scenarios.

If I want MORE self-control, there must be LESS self-indulgence.

If I want MORE love for others, there must be “LESS-than-lovable” people in my life.

If I want MORE fulfillment, there must be LESS self-serving.

If I want MORE time, there must be LESS squandering of the time I have.

If I want MORE of Jesus,

there must be LESS of me.

 

What do you need more and less of today? Praying you find it in HIM☺.