Acts 4:32-35
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Why is it that we hold onto items we’re no longer using? Is it for the practical reason of possibly needing them again? Is it for a financial reason of not having to repurchase them? Is it for a sentimental reason? Whatever our reasons, many American households agree that they have a clutter problem! In fact, many of us pay a monthly fee for a storage unit so that we don’t actually part with these items! I must admit that I also have a problem getting rid of clutter. I find myself thinking, “Will I need that empty box? “or “I loved this dress; maybe, I’ll be able to wear it again one day.”
Since signing up for this devotional, something happened that put this into perspective for me. In 1991, I was at a Nutcracker practice across the alley from St. George’s. There was a small gift shop close by my ballet school where I went while I was waiting for my turn to practice. I purchased my mom a floral Christmas mug. It was probably the first gift I had bought her with my own money. She liked it so much that she later purchased several non-Christmas mugs in floral designs. (We disagree about whether she bought a particular pansy mug for herself, or I got it for her on another occasion.) Two Christmases ago, I found the same pansy mug on eBay. I was so excited that I had found these vintage mugs that I purchased a second pansy mug! Well, recently an unnamed someone was getting Mom’s coffee in one of her favorite mugs when it fell into the sink and shattered. I was so upset. I quickly checked online trying to locate a replacement.
I found and purchased two more pansy mugs! Why had I been so upset? Why did I need to get two additional mugs? Did I feel that love was lessened or gone with a broken mug? God’s love for us doesn’t change no matter what we own or don’t own.
When I saw this devotional, I was thinking "Man, I think that looks like a possibility for me,” and then my mom said, "Oh, that one is all you." She knew that I had gotten on a huge get-rid-of-clutter kick, but I had a conflict. I am also someone who doesn’t want to just throw something away. I want to protect our environment as much as I can. My entire family jokes about the lengths I will go to recycle certain plastics. Yes, I did slip a plastic 6 cup into my purse when I attended a funeral at Trinity a month or so ago. I take 6 plastics to VCU’s new building for my appointments, and I have no shame going through security. During Lent last year, I gave up a little clutter each day. I did it responsibly though. It does take some work, but if you love your neighbor as God commanded and if you want to practice creation care, you will take the extra steps. I googled and reached out to friends, family, and organizations to see where I could responsibility give unneeded items. I did not want to trash items, but I also wasn’t going to unload my items on someone else who didn’t need them. Then it becomes a burden for them much like dropping unrequested items into Mission Control becomes for FUMC. And so, I found companies that would take different clothing my family no longer needed. If the Salvation Army couldn't take certain pieces, I found a company called "Take Back Bag" that would direct clothing to those in need globally or even recycle the clothing if it were no longer wearable. I even found a place in New England that takes old keys you don’t need anymore. Just mail in your old keys and this nonprofit uses them to benefit cancer patients. This year as I was going through a random bag of my nieces' old toys, I found a prayer cube. I thought a younger member of our church might like it for her hard work selling Girl Scout cookies and to give her comfort during some upcoming dental work. On the day of her dental work, I received a photo from her mother of my young friend holding her prayer cube. It brought me joy knowing that, perhaps, I was helping her through a difficult time. If our clutter can bring joy to someone else, what better reason to let it go?
So yes, getting rid of clutter can be hard on us in so many ways, whether it's letting go of a memory, or responsibly disposing of the clutter. We should take the extra time to practice creation care and to give to someone who will really benefit rather than simply unloading our clutter burden onto someone else or into a landfill!
Anne Blosser