Debby McCuiston, self-proclaimed "Queen of Clutter-Free", does a segment for us each Sunday on simplifying our lives, getting rid of "clutter", and focusing on what's important. We're really excited about this new segment - and hope you are too! Take it away Debby....
The up and coming celebration for Easter brings lots of great memories. I can almost tell you each and every Easter outfit my kids wore every year. I remember trying to make sure they received just the right candy in their Easter baskets. Then the pictures we took every year out back by the same dogwood tree. Getting ready to go the the family for Easter dinner and Easter egg hunts for the little ones. Sweet memories!!
But I also remember the stress over getting the perfect outfit. If you are a mom like me who loved to sew for the kids-- gathering all the fabric to make the perfect outfit. I was up until the wee hours of the morning sewing until I couldn't see to take another stitch. As I look back, I would not trade that time for all the money in the world. I do wish I had planned better with the sewing projects and filling the baskets. At times, trying to complete the dress on time became the main focus. Sometimes I worried more about getting the eggs colored then remembering the colors that have a deeper meaning at Easter.
Colors like the Red in the blood that flowed down the cross as Christ hung on that cross to take my sins away so I can enter heaven. The Purple robe that they put on Jesus, to mock Him as He hung on the cross. The Brown of the thorns that they placed on His head. The Gray from the stone that covered the tomb where they laid His body. The Black in the sky moment that Jesus died. The Yellow in the sunrise on the 3rd day when it was discovered that indeed He had risen from the grave. The Blue in the sky as more and more people realized that He was the Christ that had come to save the world.
These colors may not be our "Easter colors" but without them there would be not Easter. I am sure we would still have a "spring celebration" with all the outfits and candy. But any type of celebration that the world could come up with pales in comparison to the real meaning of Easter.
But I also remember the stress over getting the perfect outfit. If you are a mom like me who loved to sew for the kids-- gathering all the fabric to make the perfect outfit. I was up until the wee hours of the morning sewing until I couldn't see to take another stitch. As I look back, I would not trade that time for all the money in the world. I do wish I had planned better with the sewing projects and filling the baskets. At times, trying to complete the dress on time became the main focus. Sometimes I worried more about getting the eggs colored then remembering the colors that have a deeper meaning at Easter.
Colors like the Red in the blood that flowed down the cross as Christ hung on that cross to take my sins away so I can enter heaven. The Purple robe that they put on Jesus, to mock Him as He hung on the cross. The Brown of the thorns that they placed on His head. The Gray from the stone that covered the tomb where they laid His body. The Black in the sky moment that Jesus died. The Yellow in the sunrise on the 3rd day when it was discovered that indeed He had risen from the grave. The Blue in the sky as more and more people realized that He was the Christ that had come to save the world.
These colors may not be our "Easter colors" but without them there would be not Easter. I am sure we would still have a "spring celebration" with all the outfits and candy. But any type of celebration that the world could come up with pales in comparison to the real meaning of Easter.
As you and your families go through this week, take some time to notice the colors around you. Remember the white in the lily and how Christ took our sins away to make us able to be pure and blameless as we enter heaven. Remember the green in the grass that shows the new life we can have if we believe that Jesus is who He says He is. This time of year colors seem brighter and have a deeper meaning for me and I hope for you too.
Don't get caught up in all the fluff of this time of year. The new outfits are great! Any excuse to eat all of your favorite candy in one day makes me very happy. But all that will be gone in such a short amount of time. The kids out grow the clothes. We gain weight from all the candy and dinner with the family. But what we have in our hearts is all that will last. Having a relationship with Jesus and teaching our children why we celebrate Easter is what we should be spending our time on. The investment into the lives of others is better than any sugar high you can get from eating too many "peeps". So as this special week unfolds before us share with someone why you love this time of year--invest in them.
Stop and notice the freshness in the air as God breathes life back into the earth. Notice the cleansing power of rain as it clears all the impurities out of the air and remember the tears that have been shed on your behalf to bring to closer to Christ. Take a few minutes to feel the sun on your skin and celebrate the fact that you are alive and that you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around you, everyday. Don't waste this special time of year. Look around you, there are so many things to remind us that God loves us and gave His son for us so we could be in heaven with Him.
I know this isn't the normal "simplify sunday" article, but how can I tell you to clean up the outside of your life when the inside is more important. You can follow all my advice and finally get caught up on all your projects but that will not make a difference in the light of eternity!! You heart is more important than any room in your house and WHO lives in it is the most important thing. Because that is what will determine where you will spend eternity. It's not what you have or what you do, It is WHO you know that gets you into heaven. Please make sure you will be able to join me someday in heaven, as we set at His feet and finally understand how much He loves us. May God bless you in a special way this week. What a wonderful week to celebrate being alive!!!
Please contact me at queenofclutterfree@yahoo.com
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