Delores Liesner
Activating Faith in everyday life
Maintenance
Life should be more than maintenance of things – C.S. Lewis
The necessity of maintenance is the main reason many young people choose to rent an apartment or home, rather than own it. I should correct that, as a missionary cook I met told me, I don’t ever want to own a home again, because you don’t own it, it owns you.
I could say that about …oh, my closet, for example.
First there is the seasonal issue, as I live in Wisconsin. Then there is the size fluctuation as one matures, and the resistance to it that occasionally casts a victory of fitting into the smaller size.
Color trends, fashion styles, special occasions, gifts I’ve received, bargains, and resale items that cost so little it seemed prudent to buy it at the time, along with matching shoes, and the never ending search for the perfect handbag. They all line the racks and shelves in my closet.
Now guys don’t get too proud if you don’t have the closet conundrum. I’m sure if you look around, you too are maintaining clothing, hobby items, tools, papers, cars, truck, yard, books, your 6-12-18 or 24 pack…
My sad story is that the above quote inspired me to remove 40 things from my closet area and donate them. How’s that sad, you are wondering? The sad part is that after removing those things, I cannot tell the difference.
So with my Simple-down plan this year, more will be going out this week. Before I write each morning I am now doing sorting for removal whatever THING does not have the current or potential value of the time I need to spend on maintenance. A stack of paper, a ‘junk” drawer, the clothing or the shoes (I think I have about 50 pair, but will take out all seasons shoes this week, count and eliminate). Our church building-fund and Goodwill always appreciate the donations. Besides…
I want more time to spend on writing and on people.
Eph. 5:11 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork
Is. 52:2 Brush off the dust and get to your feet, captive Jerusalem! Throw off your chains, captive daughter of Zion!
Hebrews 12:1…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
One Comment on “Maintenance”
Leave a Reply
Be the Miracle! – with journaling pages
Delores Liesner: Author
American Christian Fiction Writers Association
Delores Liesner 
Great post Delores! The LORD has been speaking (convicting me!) about not wasting the things He has provided, whether it’s material things, peoples wisdom, money, experiences and especially TIME. We are indeed all a work in progress!
LikeLike