Grandpa was standing just outside his tool shed. Looking into that old rustic room attached to a weathered barn. It was full of his working tools and then some more stuff. Shelves full. Floor full. Not an inch to spare. Grandpa said, “You know this place is like most people lives. Cluttered with vices, regrets, desires, failures and accomplishments. One cluttered shed!"
There were books stacked on one shelf on top of themselves. There were thirty to forty of them. I found this amazing as Grandpa could not read. So why so many books? His reply, "Well even though I can not read writing, I can read pictures. They give me an ideal of what and how to do my work. I keep them to remember how to do things."
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Sitting nearby was an old 1930's tube radio that no longer worked. I asked him why did he keep it? He replied that it was to remind him of what he had heard. By listening to old farm radio shows, it provided him with ideals of how to work the fields better.
Psalm 1-5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
On a secluded shelf were about 25 old empty candy dishes. I had to know why he kept them. He said it was to remind him of the sweet words spoken in his life.
Psalms 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! The sweetest words heard was from the little church in the cornfield, better than any sweet corn he ever planted or harvested.
Nearby the shelves was an old water bucket. Wood as I remember. It was full, not of water, but of digging tools. Shovels, hoes, picks, and even a post hole digger. All in one bucket. Then nearby was a full set of canning jars full of nuts, bolts, washers and screws. Above them on the wall was a full set of hammers arranged by size, small to large. The rest of the shed was full of farming instruments. Rakes, plows, floats, and harnesses for the old mule. What a clutter!
Grandpa said, “Well then it hit me. 1 Corinthians14:40 - Let all things be done decently and in order. Well I had the right intention of storing my tools and supplies. It's kinda like most people, they all have a decent plan for life. Then they let fears, rejection or words stop them."
Isaiah 32-7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
Grandpa's plan was noble. To simply store things when not being used. But his way of storing only led to confusion and clutter. His actions had been direct but meaninglessness to order. So as in life, we place things in a way we think is right, only to find out later that they were confusing and nothing but clutter to our joy and happiness.
Grandpa said he guessed it was now time to unclutter.
Ecclesiastes 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Luke 12:15 And he said to them,“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Without God at the center of one's life, life can get confused and cluttered.
Grandpa and I spent all day cleaning and rearranging that old shed. Now everything had a place and was in its place. Neat and orderly.
Ephesians - Neither give place to the devil.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Life's walk is not to be in clutter and confusion.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Is it time to clean out your shed?
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Charles Finney
ccfinney@yahoo.com