Cluttered Homes, Cluttered Minds

by Sherrie Giddens

"I feel so lost, I can't even think any more. Please, you have to help us." Susan was nearly in tears as she left this message on my phone.

As I arrived at her home, I was not surprised. The bedroom floors were covered. Chairs and tables were piled high. Clutter had become master of the home, and Susan and her family were now slaves to its power.

As her husband began clearing a place for the three of us to talk, their four children sat in the middle of the living room floor. Their dinner plates were resting on their laps. Susan and her husband had reached a point of despair.

Have you ever felt this way? It may seem as if there is too much to do and not enough time to do it, leaving us feeling entirely overwhelmed. Where do we begin? Getting started can be difficult, but it's not impossible.

Jesus points out the source of power to overcome even the impossible: "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). When life seems overwhelming, this verse can give us the strength we need to move forward, to remind us we are not alone.

Recognize that the power to overcome obstacles comes from our Master.

• Put God first.
• Concentrate on finding order in your life and your home.
• Gain control of your "stuff"—it allows for a feeling of freedom.
• Realize a clean environment is a healthy environment.
• Raise your children in an organized home, and they will develop a more organized lifestyle.

Being surrounded by a chaotic environment can limit our ability to think clearly. By taking control of our living environment, we may find that we feel better both mentally and physically.

Time published an article by Tara Parker Pope on Jan. 1, 2008, entitled "A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves." In this article, she discusses the health concerns, both physical and emotional, that come from living in this kind of environment.

Are you worried about discarding an item and later finding a need for it? This is a common worry. Although there is nothing wrong with preparing for the future, when that item becomes clutter, we should reconsider.

From Solomon we learn, there is "a time to keep, and a time to throw away" (Ecclesiastes 3:6).

When clutter has taken control of our homes and our lives, we need to return the real Master to His place. By allowing God to give us the strength, we can take back control of our homes again. We can think clearly, breathe deeply and enjoy family life more freely.

Learn more about creating a loving and healthy environment for you and your family by reading the articles "Career, Home and Family: Can Women Really Do It All?" in the July/August 2008 Good News and "Finding the Path to a Happy Family" in the booklet Making Life Work. UN