The Weekly Encourager – August 14, 2012 - “Begin With the Obligations of Home”

As I said last time, I have begun Phase II of a Life Reboot. Phase I was declining to serve again in several volunteer capacities for at least a year. I am still working for income, but the hours I would normally spend on volunteering will be re-purposed for a season. Phase II is the systematic sorting of all my material possessions. This task seemed too overwhelming before, and there have been many setbacks, but I am determined to continue that work. Each day I am reminded all over again of how much there is to do in several different areas. With my ADD, the challenge is much greater, because it's supremely hard for me to stick to just one task at a time.

Yet the Lord has provided encouragement already: 1.The many times I've been laid up with serious sprains and broken bones have taught me Carpe diem. Life is unpredictable, so when I am up and about, I need to make good progress while I am able. 2.Often when there are many areas needing attention, we don't know where to start, but my husband provided clear direction by indicating his top priority. That was a blessing from God. 3.Speaking of my husband, my de-cluttering has spilled over into his life, and he's gotten rid of some things, too. 4. My kids have been a wonderful encouragement. Having lived with me, they are familiar with my areas of difficulty and therefore better equipped to pray and cheer me on. 5. Hauling books up and down stairs in a split-level house is good exercise! 6. Random things I am reading are applying to my situation and spurring me on.

For example, I'm reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens for Book Club. Early in the novel, three characters visit Mrs. Jellyby, a woman who “exerts herself very much for Africa.” She is so busy with charity work that she has little time left over for her own household. While her children run about unsupervised, dirty, and in poor clothing, she sits dictating letters by the dozen to ask people to contribute funds for the poor children in Africa. When heroine Esther's guardian, Mr. Jarndyce, asks for Esther's “real thoughts” about the visit, she replies, “We thought that, perhaps...it is right to begin with the obligations of home, sir; and that, perhaps, while these are overlooked and neglected, no other duties can possibly be substituted for them.”

When I read that passage the words seemed to be in bold type just for me. How many times have I told myself that helping a friend is more godly than clearing my house of clutter? (What noble self-sacrifice!) Yes, people are more important than things, and I hope my life shows a desire to help others. But the fact is, it's a lot more fun to play with kids or plan a party than it is to sort possessions and make the hard decisions about what to pass on. It's certainly more fun to shop for new items at bargain price than to give away the old things. Given my personality, it's a lot easier to start an exciting new quilt project than it is to finish up an old one. It feels very virtuous, when dying relatives want to give me things, to take it all home (as a favor to them, of course), park it in the basement, and say, “I'll deal with that later.”

Phase II is taxing physically and emotionally. Many of these objects were given to me by loved ones who have passed away. I miss the people, so I try to hold on to the special objects which remind me of them, the things that they touched. I love antiques and handmade items and things designed for one use which are now being used for something else. Things with a past are inherently more interesting. I may dream of decorating a mansion or a castle, but God has given us a house of a particular size. I need to be able to say, “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.” - Psalm 16:5-6 This is one time when I do need to color within the lines. Thank You Lord for all that You have given us!

As in any area of difficulty, when I am weak, He is strong. What a comfort to read this verse yesterday: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord of Hosts - “you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.” - Zechariah 4:6 LB That day I culled out another 150 books, and I trusted in the Lord.

Fight the good fight!

Quotation from Charles Dickens, Bleak House, Chapter VI, p.60-61.