My Wonderful Jesus, You have a plan for me in all that I do. You go before me and guide and empower me to have the desire to declutter my surroundings. What an amazing God You are to do this in my life.
My Wonderful Jesus, You have a plan for me in all that I do. You go before me and guide and empower me to have the desire to declutter my surroundings. What an amazing God You are to do this in my life.
Step One: Make a list each day of what rooms you’re going to work on and write a prayer like this at the top of the list: “Lord, You are the One who goes before me and guides and empowers me with Your grace, mercy, favor, diligence, wisdom, helpers, energy, desire and will to complete this list for Your honor and glory. Amen. so be it.”
When we make this list and ask Jesus to go before us and empower us, it gives Him permission to lead us through the doors He opens as we follow. Then, His perfect and holy will is accomplished in our lives…simple as that. And who can be against us, if He is for us (Romans 8:31)!
Another step Jesus showed me, I call the 10-10. You will need a timer and three boxes. Label each box: 1) Trash 2) Put Away 3) Give Away. Take the boxes to the first room on your list. When you get to that room, set your timer for 10 minutes. In that 10 minutes, start picking up anything that is out of place and put in it into its proper place for that room. If it does not belong there, put it in the appropriate box. Pick up a lease 10 things within the 10 minute period. You can choose to go on to another room and do the same or stay for another 10 more minutes (30min max). This gives you time to do all the rooms you need to.
Go through as many rooms as you can in the time you have. When there is something in your “Keep” box, which goes in a different room, go put it away in the room it belongs to. Even if you don’t organize it in that room, at least it’s where it needs to be. The next day, do the same in each room Focus on one area at a time each day and make sure that area stays clean and clear of clutter. One more great tip is to have a “Put Away” box in each room where you can place loose items to put away at a later time. Then, you can work on that box every time you’re in that room—just one or two things at a time. Soon the box will be empty.
“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) [KJV]
Daily Basic Cleaning Tasks
1. Make your bed. Before you leave your bedroom, pick up your clothes and put them in a hamper, hang them up, or put them in a drawer (this is a handy time to use you “Put Away” box if need be).
2. Clean dirty dishes and put them away. Wipe off counters and table (you may want to have a small “Put Away” box on counter for small miscellaneous items).
3. Clean bathroom. Keep bathroom cleaner spray readily available and have each person wipe down and clean shower and/or tub and sink after each use. Little one can help too.
4. Wash a load of clothes, dry, and put away. Always do more if you have the time. Older kids can do their own when you trust they are able to do so.
5. At night, do a quick walk through with your family. As you all walk around separately, everyone take their things back to their room and put them away.
Lord Jesus Christ God Almighty, You are the One who empowers me to remove all extras in my home. The fewer items I own, the easier it is to live. You, my Lord, empower me to keep clutter at a minimum. You go before me and empower me to look at everything I bring or let come into my home. You lead me in asking You first if I should keep it or not. Then, You empower me to make the right decision.
Seven Steps to Declutter
When receiving or shopping for new items, ask yourself a series of questions:
1. “Do I need this?”
2. “Can I afford it.”
3. “Will I use it regularly?”
4. “Where am I going to put it?”
5. “Do I already have one?”
6) “Do I want to clean and take care of it?”
7) “How sentimental is it?”
When in doubt, put items in a “Give Away” box. If you haven’t used something for more than a year, then you probably won’t ever use or wear it.
