Every once in a while you just have to do it, clear out the old. Not necessarily because you’re bringing something new in, but just because it needs to be done.
That’s what’s happened to me this week. After the new year began, I just had the idea seize me and shake me until I couldn’t avoid it any longer, that I had to clear out my son’s room. This ended up turning into a clear out the entire house ordeal because when you move one item, you either need to make room for it elsewhere, or throw it away.
Now, I’m a self-confessed pack rat. I’m not someone who just buys something and keeps it for the sake of owning, but, I am someone who can attach a memory to almost everything I’ve picked up in this clearing out process. Some of those memories are very clear, while others are a little fuzzy, but, I can remember something about every item. So throwing them away is like throwing away a little bit of life, because once it’s gone chances are there will not be a lot around to jog that particular memory again.
This is why clearing out is such an odd and rare occurrence for me. I feel like I’m throwing away memories. Even though I may not see an item for a long time and not touch on that memory unless I see that particular thing, as long as it’s still in the house somewhere I know in the back of my mind that I have access to it if I need it.
This clearing out has been different though, not only do I feel like I have to do it, but I’m actually throwing or giving away a huge amount of items even though they have memories attached to them. I just know that I have to get rid of them. And, although the little shoebox that my son and I live in isn’t overburdened with stuff, I know that I have to clear things out and organize what’s left.
As I’ve been plowing through this process, it has occurred to me more than once that this is how God deals with us on so many levels. We try to keep things around in our physical, emotional and spiritual lives because they hold memories of our lives that are lost to us in this new life we have in Him. We want this new life with Him, but it’s more than slightly uncomfortable for us. Because of this, we want those things around us that we can go back to. Those things that will take us back to what we still, on some level, view as a more comfortable life.
Bottom line, we are still attached to that old life, along with what those things and their memories represent for each of us. This was something the Apostle Paul seemed to thoroughly understand in his writings. He was so adamant when he urged believers to leave behind the old and put on the new.
Why? Because, at the end of the day, the old can’t hold a candle to the new, a life spent with God who just happens to be madly in love with each and every one of us.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
Really interesting post. It is a little difficult clearing out the old, but I think it is a chance to evaluate yourself and it reminds you to think a little harder before gathering things you don’t need in the first place! I always feel a little sad when I hear a song on the radio which I haven’t heard for a long time… I wonder if I will ever hear that song again or if I will forget it and we’ll never meet again!!
Thank you for your comments that are so true. I have a very similar experience with songs because the ones that I’m attached to trigger memories not only of people and places, but eras in my life as well. It always amazes me when I hear one that I haven’t heard for a awhile, and frankly have forgotten, and find that I have memories attached to it. You’ve expressed the experience of that so well!
Blessings, Sarah