Stuff

Stuff

I laughed this morning, loudly to myself and with little regard to my surroundings. I suppose I needed it; the pressure and chaos in my life have been immense over the past several weeks. In the midst of the busiest season I have ever known, there have been few occasions that have afforded me the release that I experienced today through my uninhibited and unrestrained laughter. The culprit behind amusement?

Hot Stuff. The smash hit made popular by Donna Summer in 1979 when I was but a young thirteen. Thirty years down the road, I’m less young, but somehow the song still manages to find its way into radio play. It did so this morning in the dentist office while I was awaiting my semi-annual clean. At age thirteen, I knew little about looking for some hot stuff. At forty-three, I’m content to drop the hot and simply stick with stuff … less of it!

Stuff.

My life’s been filled to the brim and then some with its consumption. I imagine you could voice the same. I’ll spare you most of the details. After all, stuff is stuff. It packs heavy in every household. Yours probably doesn’t look like mine, but I bet it sometimes feels like mine.

Full;
Unwanted;
Too much;
Too detailed;
Hard;
Chaotic;
Stressful;
Burdensome.
_____________.

Stuff does that. It weighs us down and keeps us from a single-minded focus, at least it does for me. I like the neatly defined parameters I’ve created for my life. When an abundance of stuff threatens to overflow those self-imposed boundaries, my inclination is to shut down. I don’t always manage the “excess” of stuff very well. It effects every area of my life (physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually … have I covered all the “ally’s”?).

I don’t eat right, think right, feel right, act right, pray right. Instead, I default to mediocrity—to just barely getting by with the hope that tomorrow will birth less stuff and more peace. And while the current stuff in my life will lessen with the passage of time, I imagine future stuff will soon arrive to fill any void.

We can’t help but live with our stuff. It finds us regardless of our striving toward keeping it at bay. Stuff barks loudly, refusing hiddenness. We can ignore it for a season, but eventually it catches up with us until we can no longer refuse its insistence. We simply must collect the strength and grace to deal with it.

God is the true source behind that strength. Regardless of my desire to shut down, God’s desire is to see me through my times of stress-filled stuff. He understands a crowded agenda. I can’t begin to understand the “stuff” he’s dealing with on an everlasting basis. Can you?

I know what you’re thinking. He’s God. He can handle it. But friends, God intends for us to handle our stuff in accordance with his will. His Word tells us that we’ve been given everything we need to lead a godly and holy life. That we have been endowed with the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), the Spirit of Christ (John 14:16-17), the power of Christ (Eph. 1:18-20). God means for us to manage our stuff with his management staff in tow. Then and only then, will any of it be done with a measure of success and, ultimately, to the glory of his kingdom.

This morning, I packed the book bags of my two young kids and sent them off to their first day of school. This weekend, I’ll help two more with their packing. Not book bags, but rather with the packing of their cars as they make preparations to return to college, one a junior and the other a freshman. The amount of stuff we’ve got to do between now and then is large and overwhelming. I’m not sure I’m up for the task.

Still and yet, it’s my stuff to carry. I want to do it well, with efficiency, with patience, and with a heart that is willing to bend to imperfection even though the perfectionist in me is desperately trying to state her case. I want to get to the end of my current stuff with my sanity in tact and with my faith all the more. I’m not sure how God is going to work it all out in me and, therefore, through me, but I am willing to offer up all of me for the process.

It’s a hard surrender, but one of the benefits that comes because of my exhaustion is that I’m finally willing to concede my flesh and inabilities into the hands of God’s capability. He, alone, can turn my stuff into something.

I don’t know what stuff you’re carrying this day. If your plate, like mine, is full and overflowing with deadlines, my heart is with you. You are not alone in your struggle. We journey this road together with God, and if my confession about my “stuff” can buoy your spirit along these same lines, then these few moments before the screen have been a worthy pause in my life this day.

May God’s good favor, heavenly understanding, abundant patience, calm assurance, and grace-filled reminders be your portion at every turn as you walk your week. Stay close to Jesus no matter the stuff that’s warring its insistence into your life. Whatever you have to do to get to Jesus … do it. Don’t wait until your inclinations carry you to a place of despair. Instead, bolster your busyness with the truth and power of God’s help.

It’s ours for the asking. Ask boldly. Ask with confidence. Ask a lot. Ask today. As always,

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PS: If you have a specific prayer concern you’d like for me to pray over, please indicate in the comment section or feel free to e-mail me. Adding your “stuff” to mine is a privilege, not a problem. Shalom.

25 Responses to Stuff

  1. I am right there with you Elaine. I was 17 at the time.

    I also just have some "stuff" – not hot anymore! hA!

    I don't know how you do it all with young kiddos still at home and 2 in college. YOu are an amazing woman.

  2. I will be sending my little ones off next week to school. It seems like it starts earlier every year.

    I have a lot of "stuff", too. Thank you for the beautiful post.

  3. This picture is sooooo sweet! Your children are adorable and so blessed with you as the mom:))
    Stuff drains me some days but like you, I summon the energy and plow through it too. Otherwise it just hangs around gathering dustbunnies.

  4. While I have an abundance, a plethora, a virtual mountain of stuff, what I fear most is the hot! You see, I don't have it now but soon, very soon, it will come in flashes and I am so not looking forward to that! :O)

    Seriously though, this summer has been full of my defaulting to mediocrity — it is way past time to get rid of some of this, if not most of this stuff!

    Shalom,
    Denise

  5. oh Elaine, the words of my heart today! My "stuff" is overflowing! And…it is "stuff" of my own choosing. I have so much going on this week that it is so overwhelming. Today at work I was about the cry at the pressure I was feeling. Why do I do this to myself? I prayed that I could get through it without biting everyone's head off who lives with me, works with me, comes in contact with me.

    Just pray for same things as you, kids heading off to school, college, college loans, job, relationship problems, etc., etc., etc.!!

    Love you my friend! Praying for you as well!!

  6. Your posts always hit the spot and lead me to His throne. I have no room to even sigh when I see what's on your plate. You are such a wonderful example of Godly living in a chaotic world. You youngest ones looked precious. I posted a picture of my daughter as today as her first day in 3rd grade. (((hugs)))

  7. Elaine, Your children are adorable.
    Stuff does get in our way that is for sure! But, as you said, the Lord is our strength to help us rid ourselves of unneeded stuff if we ask for His help in doing it.
    Great post. Have a great week,
    Christy

  8. Oh boy does Stuff start with the letter S….it totally relates to my last blog!

    Girl thank you for reminding while reading this post…where I need to be…heading to my Jesus…only He knows how to handle the stuff…

    Love to you and praying for your busy week!

  9. My stuff has been pretty well sorted through, prayed over, offered up, released, gripped again, and then tossed for good … or so it seems. Most days my heart soars.

    Until one of THOSE days shows up.

    They're days that carry on their wind the memory of stuff that hurt long ago; it hurts still.

    One thing I know: it all sends me running to the Father.

    Stuff happens.

    Many blessings!
    Kathleen

  10. They are just PRECIOUS!! Please give them a hug for me!!!

    Loved this post! YOu've hit the nail right on the head, chickadee! This is part of what I loved…"God means for us to manage our stuff with his management staff in tow" Praise Him for for the managmenet staff!!

    YOur family will be in my prayers this week!! Breathe, run, and pray hard! Y'all will do fine!

    Love you bunches!
    Susan

  11. Sweet pic. We don't head back to school here for another month.

    You know my 'stuff' right now, and I'm so thankful for your prayers.

    Hugs,
    Joy

  12. My kids go back to school next week and i just got back from a weekend shopping spree for supplies and clothes…talk about stuff!!! I needed to read this. Thanks!

  13. What a precious picture, Elaine 🙂

    Loved your last line about asking. Sometimes we need to ask earlier, huh?

    Good luck seeing your big guys off to college!

  14. Yes, indeed, Elaine. We are definitely related! If we went to a wedding together I could eat the icing and you could eat the cake and then we could exchange plates and do it again!

    I am praying for you as you walk through this season of much challenge and change, with kiddos coming and going! It is alot to get your arms around and I know you desire to "do all things well." I pray God's power and presence will be evident in your life in a fresh way! Blessings.

  15. Elaine,

    My stuff is sad. I think because I can remember taking Cameron to his first day of Kindergarten only this year to taking him for his last year of elementary. They grow up way to fast as you well know and I am not sure I am ready for all this "growing". You are always a source of laughter and encouragement for me. I love you my friend!

  16. Oh, Elaine… such a timely post. God has really been working with me on this topic. I so easily become overwhelmed with my stuff — and it's not necessarily bad stuff — just the day to day "life stuff".

    I'm slowly learning to let it go and turn it over to God… each time a little bit sooner than the time before. What a difference it does make! Thank goodness He is willing to take it all!

  17. your busy-ness tires me…praying His yoke can never be too burdened…

    COME BREATH OF LIFE
    Come Breath of Life
    And cause our hearts to rise
    Come make us strong before Your searching eyes

    Oh Breath of Life
    Renew us in Your ways
    Come sweeping in and set Your church ablaze

    Come Breath of Life
    And breathe upon us now
    Lord light Your fire inside of us

    Come Breath of Life
    And fill us with Your power
    Oh Breath of Life
    Revive our hearts again

    🙂

  18. I am so there…I have enough "stuff" for a lifetime. Loved your post…

  19. Elaine,
    After being on our mission trip in the Dominican Republic I want to get rid of 80% of our stuff. How much time and energy I spend on things that really add to the Kingdom.

    We count our blessings by how many things we have, but honestly I think all that stuff just gets in the way of us and God.

    Blessings,
    Kelli

  20. Amen, girlfriend.

    Bo leaves for school Friday…he hasn't packed the first thing. Billy returns to college the following Wednesday. He hasn't packed, either.

    We just got back from WV a little while ago. I'm trying to unwind. Praying for sleep to come soon.

    I see there's another way you and I are alike…

    "When an abundance of stuff threatens to overflow those self-imposed boundaries, my inclination is to shut down. I don’t always manage the “excess” of stuff very well. It effects every area of my life (physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually … have I covered all the “ally’s”?).

    I don’t eat right, think right, feel right, act right, pray right. Instead, I default to mediocrity—to just barely getting by with the hope that tomorrow will birth less stuff and more peace. And while the current stuff in my life will lessen with the passage of time, I imagine future stuff will soon arrive to fill any void."

    I felt as if you were reading my mail. 🙂

    Hang on…Friday's coming!

  21. I am finding, the older and wiser (hopefully) that I get, that much of the stuff cluttering up my life is self imposed. It is not what God would choose for me and yet He allows me to be burdened with it to teach me a lesson. Currently, I am in one of those seasons where I am seeking to lighten that load of stuff. It is not easy but it is rewarding.

    Cute picture of your babies.

    Leah

  22. wifeforthejourney:

    How good to be able to laugh at the dentist office! How your creative mind pulls a valuable spiritual reflection out of "gum gardening," Donna Summer and the end of summer vacation?!?

    To everyone in blog-land, this is the adventure of life with elaine. Don't let her fool you, working to get four children out the door to school, hasn't cooled off everything around our house. Easy stuff, no; hot stuff? Lets just say I'm not ready to hang up my oven mits!

    YOU are the best elaine. Our kids have a great life becasue you help us get things done right. Life with you is just the way I like it! Love, Billy

  23. Elaine, this so hit a spot for me today. The Lord has used this post to further His message to me about "stuff".

    My prayer request: please remember me and my husband in that he's applying for a job and has started Univ classes online this week. Also, that he'll find strength from the Lord to know to continue his side work to help pay bills. And that if it's in God's will for me to be awarded SSDI that it will happen in His timing.

    Thank You Father for using Elaine to get Your message to me. In Jesus' name, amen

  24. Hmmmm… I thought her "hot stuff" meant something a little different… and if you have a lot of stuff… well, anyway…

    Too precious that I e-mailed you with my broken heart even before I read this post. You must have known!

    I am finding that the more I am about my Father's stuff… my stuff becomes a little less overwhelming.

    Thanks for speaking to the heart today… as always…

  25. Oh, do I ever have "stuff" – and now that song is going through my head. What a wonderful reminder to give it to Him.

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