Day 325- A Closet/Room First

Laura and I were talking this evening. She mentioned to me that she had seen somewhere that something people could do to help organize their house or be generous was to go in a room and pick out 10 things to give away.  I went into a room and picked out 10 things that I will give away for my "first."

The deal here is that you want to be careful what room you go into. Make sure you go into a room with some clothes in it. That's one of the easiest things to give away.  If you go into a room with nothing but really valuable stuff (guns,fishing equipment, etc.), this could be tough.  I picked a room where my clothes closet is.

I picked out some clothes, a pair of shoes, a book and those kinds of things.  It was kind of an interesting "first."  It's funny the discussions that you can have with yourself when you are doing this.  I picked up a shirt and then thought, "Who gave me this? Will they see it on the blog?"  Or, "Will Laura be upset if I give this shirt away that she gave me?"  I was pretty sure she would not be, but I don't want to accidentally give away something that has a lot of sentimental value to it without at least discussing it.

The room I picked also has a bookshelf in it.  I love my books.  I picked up a book and then thought, "Nobody will read this. It'll just sit on a shelf somewhere and I might actually read it again."  I picked up a pair of shoes that I've not worn in 2 years.  I thought, "But I might wear them this year."  Nope, I won't because I'm giving them away.  There was one really ugly shirt that I kept because I'm going to wear it as a "first" one day.  I have never worn it before.

Decisions, decisions

Hey, how about some Christmas suspenders; t'is the season

Suit?

When I came out and showed Laura what I was giving away, she asked me if I felt generous.  I said, "No, I feel selfish."  I realized that I only gave away stuff that I was pretty sure I was not going to use. I did not give away my favorite shirts.  I mean, nobody may wear them if I bring them to a local charity.  I did not give away my favorite shoes or favorite books. Not even close; it was more like things I knew I probably was not going to use.  I had already kind of given myself away on this in earlier paragraphs.

I'm glad that is not God's attitude toward giving (or mine all the time).  God has given us the best gift we could ever hope for; Himself.  He sent His Son to die for us and then raised Him from the dead.  If we will repent and trust in Christ, then God gives us lots of gifts; eternal life, forgiveness, a new life, a home in heaven, and the list could go on.  The greatest gift is that we could ever have is a real relationship with the God of all creation.  Jesus prayed in John 17:3, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  Eternal life is not just living forever. Everyone does that according to the Bible.  Eternal life is a quality of life that comes with a relationship with God through His Son that is real and personal.  Praise God He is a great giver.  May we be good receivers.

Receiving the abundant life,
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. God is a giver
2. Laura's smile
3. Laughter