5 Scriptural Keys to Freeing Pack-Rats

Excerpt from Fast Fixes for the Christian Pack-Rat by Jeanie Jacobson.

A Lego ecosystem flourished in the carpet underfoot. Broken crayons lay by the baseboards. Half-dressed Barbie dolls languished under the sofa. A stuffed animal battalion kept the living room under siege. While their mother and I discussed organizing plans, the children dragged out still more toys.

Living in disorder can be frustrating and exhausting. Worse, it eats into our time with God. “Sorry Lord, can’t chat today. I’m running late because my car keys are missing. Again.”

Disarray can multiply faster than alien bacteria in a Sci-Fi movie. Does your home fit one of these scenarios?

1) The hidden pack-rat

The majority of the home is a showcase, but nobody is allowed into the Room of Doom. A guard dog and a twelve foot attack anaconda keep visitors at bay.

2) General disarray throughout the home

This home looks like a whirlwind sucked up the Clutter Fairy and scattered her across the entire living area.

Papers, shoes, laundry, coats, backpacks, toys, and partially finished craft projects lurk everywhere.

3) Contained hoard

There are unusable areas in the home because of the hoard. Examples include a dining room table piled high with tools or crafts, or guest room even a skeleton couldn’t squeeze into.

4) Full-fledged hoard

Rooms overflow with treasures and trash. The overwhelming quantity of items makes navigating the home difficult. Few people are allowed into the home. Shame over the disarray or worry about health department intervention often keeps the problem hidden.

Eliminating the overflow in our homes starts with a change of heart and mind. The following keys work like an Acme Magic De-cluttering Wand for most Christian pack-rats.

5 Keys to Freedom

Key 1: Am I holding on to someone else’s blessing?

“I was naked, and you gave me clothing …” (Matthew 25:36)

Key 2: Does someone else need these items now?

“If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.’” (Proverbs 3:28)

Key 3: Am I sowing into God’s kingdom?

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38)

Key 4: Do I trust the Lord to provide for my needs?

“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)

Key 5: Everything in your home needs a home.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)

If releasing items is difficult, ask yourself:

• When was the last time I used it?
• Do I have multiples of this item?
• Does this fit my body / lifestyle / taste / décor?
• Do I need this?
• Am I keeping it because I think I might use it in the future? (Refer back to “When was the last time I used it?”)
• And again – am I holding on to someone else’s blessing?

So get the dustball rolling. Grab empty cardboard boxes, a marker, and trash bags. Create “Keep” and “Donate” boxes. If you have a legitimate sales plan for the items, create a “Sell” box.

Now grab an item. Decide which category it fits, and put it there. Boom. Done! Remember, you’ll need a “home” for everything you keep. Seeing your items in one place helps you determine where to put them. Like the “Donate” box perhaps.

Note: Search items well before tossing them, especially if anyone in your household suffers from issues like dementia. I’ve found money stuffed in shoes, hidden in books, and glued under a jewelry box’s velvet lining. I once discovered a hundred dollar bill wrapped in Kleenex, thankfully unused.

Whether you work on an area for an hour or put one single thing away, you’re making progress. Move forward with the clean-up at your pace, and enjoy the peace that comes from living in an organized home.

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” 1 Corinthians 14:33a (NLT)

Order a copy of Fast Fixes for the Christian Pack-Rat: Shame-Free, Blame-Free Help by Jeanie Jacobson