The Faith to Declutter

I’m staring into my boys’ closet, looking at all the shirts they never pull off the rack. There are only so many days in a week, only so many mud puddles to jump in and changes of clothes to require… so by the time a load of laundry is washed, they’ve only touched a third of their wardrobe—and it’s clean, ready to be worn again!

So days, months, YEARS go by. And still I hold on to the unworn items—because, “what if we need it? What if a sibling comes along with different preferences and wants to wear these?” Or, an even more “righteous” thought (in my mind): “We can be great stewards of our finances, and I won’t have to purchase any new clothes for a new baby!”

Well, at least that’s what I told myself for our second child, and our third child… and still, an excess of clothes remains unworn.

But recently it dawned on me: it’s really not about stewardship—it’s about a lack of trust in God’s provision. Why hoard these things for future “what ifs” when they could go to someone else and meet an actual, current need? I can give freely in faith, and if (when!) my own time of need comes, I know that the Lord “knows what I need before I even ask” (Matthew 6:8). I will surely be met with provision. So will you!

And here’s the beautiful part: trusting God’s provision and being practical aren’t at odds—your decluttered closet may turn into someone else’s answered prayer.

Practical Mom Tip: Start your own version of what our church ladies have: a simple GroupMe chat where folks post photos of their giveaway items for anyone to claim. I can’t tell you how many times our family has been blessed by this—and has been able to extend the blessing to others.

So, let’s pass along the blessings of what we aren’t using—for “our lives are but a vapor” (James 4:14).

It’s time to declutter, sister!

From Another Mother,

Jen