Our growing third batch of stuff to donate.

I find it so interesting how things we may be doing on the outside can often wind up reflecting what’s going on in the inside. I’ve shared that my word for this year is “sanctuary.” So far, the Holy Spirit has been taking me on a journey to declutter my mind and heart to create this place of peace and rest that originates and exists in Him, regardless of what is going on around me.

The interesting thing that has resulted in this process is how it is showing up in the physical aspects of life, in the sense that I’m on a mission to create this place of peace where I live. I’ve done this in our home in Florida without even realizing it. Several people have commented that our house there is peaceful. Even my new office has garnered this comment several times. I believe it is a combination of what is happening inside of me and as well as outside.

Now that we’re back in CA for a few months, I feel the need to do the same here. I’m cleaning out our house here and “purging” 12 years of clutter. Now I’m a pretty neat and organized person. My daughters might even tell you I’m a tad OCD about it at times, but this goes beyond the stuff and flows into the connection between our mind, body and spirit. We know if we are not healthy spiritually, our physical bodies reflect it. And vice verse. God created us in these three parts to be a whole, much in reflection of His Trinity.

So, as my spiritual health is improving, as the Holy Spirit has been “decluttering” my mind and heart of the old lies and misconceptions I’d inadvertently picked up or allowed in from the enemy, I’m finding this is now showing up in my physical home. And what’s even more interesting is that my husband is doing it too. 

We are cleaning and purging. Bags and bags of clothing have gone to Goodwill. Five or six bags of books have been donated to a neighborhood library program. Pieces of furniture are being eliminated and either passed on to family or given away.

And I find also there is a parallel to this physical decluttering to our mental decluttering. The question becomes, what do I really need? And it is a process done in layers. As layers of lies are peeled away, there is more room for God’s truth. As His truth infiltrates, more lies are revealed and purged, layer by layer.

My friends, I’m finding this applies to our homes too. As we are peeling back layers of stuff, we begin to see more layers of stuff that we really don’t need. And as it is freeing mentally and spiritually, I find this to be true of our surroundings too. There is a definite connection and I’m determined to bring more of God’s peace into my home and environment. God’s peace and chaos cannot coexist. I believe this is true of our minds and our homes.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. — 1 Cor. 14:33

I’m excited to see how this unfolds and how it affects those around us. I never expected my word for this year to have such a far reaching affect to not only change the “environment” inside me but around me as well. And that is what we want, to bring God’s kingdom to the forefront so that others will be touched, moved and changed, especially our pre-believers.

I wonder, my friends, what are you thoughts and experiences with this. Do you see areas in and/or around you that you can change to invite more of God’s peace to rest and reside there? In you? Around you? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Love you!