It’s Time for Spring Housecleaning

One of our most difficult choices was to sell a new home we had built a year earlier. No, we didn’t have mold in the basement or obnoxious neighbors living next door; we just couldn’t afford it. We were house poor and we were honest enough to admit it. Moving into a house half the size meant we had to swallow a great deal of our pride.

Why was that so hard to do that one spring? Materialism teaches the lie that we are what we own. It promises that whatever we lack in our self-confidence we can make up in what we own.

God offers a wonderful alternative to materialism. It’s called contentment. Contentment is the choice we make to be at peace with the provisions God has placed in our lives. It’s a radical and counter-cultural thought.

Who we are is shaped by what we worship. True self-confidence comes from worshiping Jesus Christ. He allows us to be at peace with what we own, even if God never adds anything to it. If we have worked hard and followed Christ diligently, then all we own is all God must believe that we need for right now. Do you know the best news of all? God’s contentment doesn’t cost us a thing - except our misery.

Maybe instead of just doing spring housecleaning this year you need to consider downsizing to give yourself time for what is really important. Maybe you don’t need to sell your home but maybe you need to give up something else that is hindering the new true wealth which is time. You will finally be able to afford both quality and quantity time with your family. You may finally have time for a date night every week with your spouse. You may have time to deepen your relationship with Christ. You may have time to find that Christ can meet your needs in any and every situation because you won’t be chasing and running after everything else. You may have time for Scripture memory, prayer, church attendance, and Bible study.

At the Christian college that Bob attended a most unusual college course was offered. For thirty days each January during the coldest month of the year in Minnesota, a history professor took students to live in what what was known as “The Depression House.” The idea was to replicate the difficult conditions of rural America in the 1930’s. For one month the students would forego hamburgers, pizza, and tacos for a diet consisting of cornmeal, homemade bread, and beans.

The irony is that students flocked to the course. The majority were from affluent homes in which they had never known deprivation or struggle. The value of the course was that they discovered true contentment and happiness can survive even a Depression.

The apostle Paul from the New Testament wrote most of his letters while held in damp and dreary prisons. We can assure you those awful prisons needed a real spring housecleaning but Paul could speak of joy and contentment because he discovered that even in prison Christ is present and alive. The secret of contentment for the Apostle Paul was his relationship with Jesus Christ.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12b

God wants us to learn the lesson in our family and marriage that Christ is contentment. That’s the secret to really doing a spring housecleaning where it matters most - in your soul.

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By Cheryl and Bob Moeller
Cheryl Moeller is a columnist for www.mommiesmagazine.com. She’s also an outrageous stand up comic for moms. Her syndicated humor columns will make you laugh until you feel better. Find out more about her new CD “Spin Cycle,” her humor columns and how you can bring her to speak at your mom’s group at www.momlaughs.blogspot.com

Bob is President of Marriage. His conference website is www.forkeepsconference.com. He is a pastor, speaker, TV show host, and writer on marriage issues.

They have co-authored two books. Marriage Minutes, Moody Press and For Better, For Worse, For Keeps, Marrriagevine Press can be purchased on www.momlaughs.blogspot.com.

Forgiveness

Many years ago I was a day care provider. The amazing thing about children is that they can be fighting one minute and then best friends the next. They don’t hold grudges and forgiveness comes from the heart. The Bible teaches that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and forgave those who nailed him to the cross. Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

In today’s society many people have not forgiven people for things that may have happened many years ago. They hold on to the bitterness, hurt and anger-which eventually will lead to emotional and health problems. Forgiveness is the answer and letting go of the past. Yesterday is gone-nothing can be changed. Tomorrow has not arrived - so we must deal with today and focus on the positive. Stop and look at the life of Stephen-he was being stoned and asked the Lord to forgive those who were stoning him. Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. Then, he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them, When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Today, you may not have someone physically throwing stones at you-but perhaps they are stoning you with words. Words cut and hurt. So, how do you deal with words and learning to forgive others? The first step is to give these problems to the Lord and to allow the Lord to take care of them. This is accomplished by praying to the Lord and focusing on doing things that glorify the Lord and help others. Sometimes, it may help to write a letter to the person who has hurt you or whom you have hurt. This gives you a chance to reflect on what you are saying and make any changes in the letter that may be needed before you mail it. Many times people do not realize they have hurt you. Reading the Bible and memorizing scripture is also a great way to focus on the positive. For example: Psalms 91 is a comforting scripture to read and memorize.

Finally, remember that God has a plan. Trials and temptations are part of life on this earth. James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The Lord will give you peace in your heart and the strength to walk through these trials-if you will trust and obey the Lord.