99 Days of Summer: As the rain is falling
outside and it is dark and cozy in my house, it is a great day to
undertake the next step in the great closet makeover. Now that
"outfits" have been put together, for yourself, or the kids, it is time
to determine what the best use of them is. Some items in your closet
are best for work, some for everyday at home wear, some fo
r
special occasions, etc. By dividing the clothing into these type of
categories you can more easily get dressed for work, know what you have
to wear to that wedding or funeral, or what is comfy to wear for a day
running errands instead of having to look through everything. This is
also a great way to teach kids what is appropriate for certain
occasions. By separating school clothes from play clothes, they can
more easily chose their own clothing. This teaches and allows
independence and helps you out as well. This is also the time to double
check yourself on eliminating things. If you cannot figure out a
purpose for an item, get rid of it. At the end of this step everything
should be well sorted and hangars in the closet backwards. Over the
next month, as you wear an item, turn the hangar around and you will
begin to see what you really like to wear and begin to eliminate more
unused items. You will also find it easier to determine if you actually
need to purchase anything. More than likely you will find yourself
subtracting more than adding.
Word for Today, Home: The past seven years
have been an exciting time for us as we became home owners again after
many years of flat living in Chicago and then a condo rental when we
first moved to Michigan. We have always been good stewards of our home
whether we rented or owned. This house has required a lot of
maintenance and still has a ways to go, new windows, replacing the deck,
and shed,
new fence. Taking out the
tree and having the others trimmed is a part of being a good steward of
this house we know is a gift from the Lord. As I was reading this
morning I was reminded again that I need to be as good, actually better,
a steward of my body which is called "a temple of the Holy Spirit."
Richard painted houses for a while and he would say there are 50 foot
paint jobs, 20 foot jobs, and 5 foot jobs. That 50 footer looks real
good from 50 feet away, but get up close and you will see where the
flaws and carelessness is. As a Christian we need to desire to be a
close up job. When someone looks at us do we look real good from a
distance, but as they get closer do they see us being careless? A close
examination of our life should show that we haven't just been painted
over, but have been sanded, repaired, washed, and lovingly restored. We
can be like a 100 year old house that has been restored to it's
original beauty. Are you taking care of your house, physically and
spiritually? Is there anything that needs to be scraped off and
restored, washed and lovingly repaired? Are you filling it with tacky,
second hand furnishings that bring your value down. Or are you seeking
to fill it with the best? From food to movies, fill yourself with the
best. Feast on God's Word, surround yourself with friends that will
lift you up, be a part of activities that will make you strong
physically and spiritually, be a part of a local fellowship of believers
and worship regularly with them. All of these things will make you a
beautiful Temple for the Spirit to dwell in. "The house that is built
for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent."
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