"CONQUERORS OF CLUTTER"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

It's that time of the year. The time when I get into my Fall nesting mood. You know the mood, when we swap out the summer clothes for warm knitted sweaters, scarves and boots. And summer beachy home decor for comfy quilts, toasty fires and  pumpkin spice coffee, candles and everything else pumpkin!

It is also the time of year when I like to become a "CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!" 
Spring and Fall at my house are the two seasons that I like to do a thorough cleaning of  everything in our home. I get what I call "The urge to purge." This involves de-Cluttering every room in our house from top to bottom.
I do an inventory of all my stuff and then I make three piles: KEEP. SELL. GIVE AWAY.
No Rocket Science here, just basic CLUTTER CONQUERING 101.

I have discovered that :THE MORE STUFF WE HAVE, THE MORE THE STUFF HAS US!

Stuff leads to clutter, clutter leads to confusion, confusion leads to stress and anxiety, which leads to unrest and no peace!
When we have too much stuff  it not only clutters our home, it also clutters our mind.
It costs us more time because when everything is a confusing mess we can't find anything. When we can't find our stuff it also costs us more money because we go out and buy things that we already have but can't find at home in all our clutter!
Clutter and disorganization steals our time, money, peace and joy!

All that stuff is a heavy weight that keeps us in bondage. 
TIME TO CONQUER THE CLUTTER! 

"We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that distracts us."
Hebrews 12:1

A big thing that keeps us chained to the STUFF are all the sentimental memories that are attached to our things. I get it. I can look at a dish or a chair and a flood of memories hit me of a family holiday or a special person who something reminds me of and suddenly I have a tight grip and I am not ready to let go of that object.
But I learned a little trick years ago that helped me to let go of some things. Since just  looking at the things transported me back to the memories, I found if I took a photo of the object it had the same effect! I was able to let go of alot of STUFF but keep the memories alive by looking at the photos! The memories are in my heart not in the stuff!
It doesn't mean I have gotten rid of everything but I have been able to get rid of a ton of stuff that was weighing me down.
I know it can be overwhelming for so many of you out there that are living under a mountain of clutter. You know who you are. In fact right now you are looking around your home cringing at the thought of where to even begin to start the process.
Well take a deep breath, understand it is a process and it takes time, but YOU CAN DO IT! Repeat after me: "I CAN DO IT! I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR IN CHRIST JESUS."

Do you want to live clutter free?

Here are a few ideas that work for me.

I RESIST BUYING AND BRINGING STUFF HOME! (Window shopping is still free! )

Use it or lose it! Have I worn or used this in the last year? 

Do I love this ? Does this give me pleasure? 

Am I holding on to this out of guilt or obligation? (This applies to relationships too!)

Whatever is tucked away in a box , closet or in storage and I haven't seen it, used it or worn it in a year, it is time to get rid of it!  

Can I Bless someone else with this?

I Organize and Label everything! 

I keep things in the same spot so we can easily find them. (Keys, phone, purse, backpacks, etc)

Communication Boards. ( Family Calendar/Schedule. Each family member has a dry eraser board for reminders and chores.  

I heart Baskets, Bins and Bags! ( I like a place for everything and everything in it's place! ) 

If something is keeping me from my time with God then I need to limit it or get rid of it! 

If  I had to choose and limit the things in my home that bring me joy and I use on a regular basis what would they be?
 (My Bible, Husband, Laptop, Label Maker, Fuzzy Socks, Books & Animals.)


There are a ton of organizing ideas on Pinterest that you can get ideas from. 

Pick something you can stick to and get started- one file, one pile, one mile at a time!
I hope this inspires you to get going. Just think of the freedom you will have to do things that you love instead of being tied down to taking care of things!

"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

 YOU CAN DO IT!  YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!

Write to me in the COMMENTS box and share your ideas and Victories with me.
 I would love to hear from you!

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA SELMA LIND

"SPECIAL NEEDS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Last week I was leaving the Doctors office and noticed a young woman a few steps ahead of me in the parking lot. I offered a friendly "How is your day going?" She sniffed her nose in the air and mumbled under her breath, "Like you really care!"

I started praying "Lord, bless this young lady and please give me an opportunity and the wisdom to minister to her."

The Lord spoke to my heart and gave me a word to share with the young woman.

"You're a single Mom aren't you?" I asked

Yes

"You are exhausted ?"

Yes

 "Haven't gotten much sleep lately have you?"

No

" You feel afraid and alone?"

Yes

"You've been hurt and not sure you can do this anymore?"

Yes, Yes! How do you know?

She told me she was a single Mom and has a six year old boy that is a "special needs" child.

The little boy's Daddy took off and left her when her son was a baby.

Her new boyfriend is in prison.

Her family isn't talking to her anymore because she chose to stay with her boyfriend and visits him in prison. So, she came to stay with a friend for awhile. She was so discouraged.

Everywhere she goes she said people make comments about her son.

 They say to her :

 "Get your kid under control."

"Tell him to be quiet."

"You shouldn't take him out in public. "

"What's wrong with him?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"He is bothering our customers,we need you to leave."

"You're a bad Mom."

She said she didn't know what to do or where to turn.

I told her How sorry I was that she was going through all this, and that I cannot imagine the pain that she has endured. I wanted her to know that what those people said and did to hurt her and her son were wrong. 

I expressed to her that she was very special and that God loved her very much. 

"How do you know?" she snapped.  

Because, I said. He chose you to be the Mom to your very special needs son!

He knew your heart and he put an extra special scoop of love in your heart so that you could love your little boy like no one else could!

That's beautiful, I never thought of it like that ! Tears were streaming down her face.

Do you really think God chose me? 

Yes, I assured her. God loves you both so much He picked you to be the Mom, and He picked your boy to be your son because you also needed someone with an extra special scoop of love in his heart  to love you like no one else could!

I put my arm around her shoulder. Can I tell you something?

Do you know that God loves you both so much? More than you can ever imagine! He loves you so much he died for you!

You are not alone. He will never abandon you. He wants to help you. 

Have you ever given your life and heart to Jesus? Would you like me to pray with you now?

I held her hands. I prayed. She repeated after me. She asked Jesus into her heart to be her Lord and Savior.

She cried. I cried. And the Angels in Heaven rejoiced!

I hugged her. I invited her to come to church with me. But she wasn't sure about how long they would be around. 

She thanked me over and over for taking the time to care and for"being real".

She said she felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of her. She was smiling , and I told her our meeting was no mistake. God divinely arranged for us to meet so she could know how much he loved her and her boy!

As I drove out of the parking lot something hit me. While her son is a"Special Needs"child, 

everyone of us has a"special need"of some kind that we are longing to have fulfilled.  A need that only our Heavenly Father can  know. A need that only our Heavenly Father can fill. 

God knew that young woman needed to be encouraged, reassured and loved. 

He knew that her hope needed to be restored. He knew she was ready to give up. 

It is in the dark crevices of our heart that He sends his light to shine forth like the noonday sun in order to dispel the darkness.

Everyday is an opportunity to be used by God to further his kingdom and to shine a light into a dark world.

Let us pray everyday that God would point out to us the one with a"Special Need."  

That we may have compassion to come alongside of them and to have the heart of the Father to  love them.  To be patient, kind, gentle and forgiving. Not to point out wrongs but to point them instead to Heaven. Love Never Fails.

"I will never fail you..." Hebrews 13:5

HALLELUJAH!

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND

" TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED "

By: Donna Selma Lind

"Hello folks, I'm your Vitameatavegamin girl. Are you tired, run down, listless? Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpoopular? (pause) Well are you? The answer to all your problems is in this little ol' bottle of Vitameatavegamin!"

There was a time in my life where I had memorized all the words to the I LOVE LUCY commercial in this famous episode! When my nieces "Lucy and Daisy"would come for pajama parties we would stay up giggling all night while we watched all the old I LOVE LUCY reruns.
 Who doesn't LOVE LUCY?
In this particular show Lucy is trying to sell the audience a wonder bottle mixture of meat, vegetables and a vitamin concoction that is sure to answer all their problems. The biggest problem for Lucy was the stuff tasted really nasty and had alcohol in it!W-H-A-H-H-H!

Years ago there was what they called "Snake Oil" salesmen that would travel around and try to peddle similar tonics. These so called "Nerve"tonics were guaranteed to cure any Stress related ailment or disease that you were struggling with. People soon found out the tonics never worked to relieve their problems. Which is why the salesmen had to travel around so they wouldn't get caught by Stressed out unhappy customers! :-)

It hasn't changed much all these years later. There are still all kinds of products and potions advertised  on infomercials and on the drugstore shelves promising to help alleviate Stress problems!
 As I see it there is only one answer to all our problems. Only one cure that guarantees to help us overcome all of the stresses of life.  It doesn't come in a bottle.
You cannot buy it in a drugstore or from an infomercial. In fact the answer to all our Stress issues doesn't cost a dime. No gimmicks, and it is completely free. The debt has already been paid ! The answer to alleviate our Stress and problems is the one and only JESUS!

Let's take a look for a moment at the definition of STRESS: "A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances."
 Let me give you some other names that usually accompany STRESS: Pressure, Worry, Anxiety, Trouble, Weight, Overstretched, Difficulty, Pushed to the limit.
Anything hit home for you? I can relate , especially since I shared with you in our last visit about my Juggling career! :-)

Did you know that some research shows that over 75% of Doctors office visits are Stress related ailments and complaints? Unresolved problems such as Unforgiveness, Bitterness, Anger, Worry, Anxiety, Fear etc. can all lead to physical symptoms , sickness and disease. (Dis-ease)

STRESS affects our body, mind and spirit. If we don't control STRESS it will eventually control us!
Here is what the Bible says about STRESS:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:1

"Count it all Joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2,3  

"You will keep them in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

HOW CAN WE OVERCOME STRESS?

S- STOP-Breathe- Pray! PSALM 46:10
T- TALK-Talk it out with Godly Counsel! PROVERBS 11:14
R- REST- Read the Bible-Rejoice! PSALM 16:9
E - EXERCISE -Eat Healthy-Enjoy Life! 3 JOHN 1:2
S -SMALL STEPS-Slow Down-One Day at a time! LUKE 12:22-26
S - SIMPLIFY- Prioritize-What can I let go of? HEBREWS 12:1-2

Take a few minutes to write down the top STRESSES in your life right now.

What do you have control over? 
What can you change or do differently?
What will you give to God?  

It is our choice what we do with the Stresses of life.

Look what I  found jumbled up smack in the middle of the word STRESS...the letters REST! 
And in case you didn't know: STRESSED IS DESSERTS spelled backwards! 
So relax, have a piece of pie or cake, you will feel much better! ("And it's Tasty too!" :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff! Life is too short to live in the STRESS lane. 
Count your Blessings instead ! 

 I AM  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Come on, Shout it out!   

Wait before you go, grab your dessert and enjoy the show!

"A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE MEDICINE." Proverbs 17:22

HALLELUJAH!  PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND