God’s Ultimate Garage Sale

By Lynn Ludwick

I recently tripped through my garage. Literally. One shelf stood organized, my kitchen overflow—large cooking pots, pie tins and such. Along another wall I spied a couple of boxes labeled, “Miscellaneous Everything From Everywhere.” Good luck finding what I needed there. Part of the floor accommodated a sizeable mound of miscellaneous stuff. A garage sale was in order! As I puttered and fussed, I recalled a conversation between my daughter and me.

We had hurried to the store in late evening and as we shopped, the store officially closed and the manager ushered us out the emergency door. I worried about the alarm sounding. Tanya remarked that in the life she’d left behind, she exited many such doors in a mad dash—and alarms did sound.

I silently thanked God for the work He’s done in her life. “With all you’ve been through,” I commented, “I cannot imagine living in your head.”

Tanya nodded. “Sometimes I have trouble living there myself. Maybe I should have a garage sale and sell all the extra baggage.” We looked at each other and shook our heads. “Probably no one would want it,” she concluded.

My mind returned to the present moment, and I contemplated the prospect of eliminating mental excess. But in line with Tanya’s and my conclusion, who would want anyone else’s emotional junk? We each have enough of our own. And in reality, I know I’d only set out my unnecessary thoughts and painful memories while holding on to the joys and pleasant recollections. “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.” Proverbs 14:10

Anyway, God doesn’t want me peddling my garbage. He already staged The Ultimate Garage Sale, the cross. There Jesus bought it all at a price we’d never dare ask—His guilt in exchange for ours and at the cost of His life—and it remains a one-time event. However, God still maintains His free box—for deposit only, no takeouts—located at the foot of that cross. He invites us to plop in our icky stuff and let Him deal with it.

So over the next several weeks I’ll diligently plow through boxes, cupboards and piles, hoping to fill my trashcan and several garage sale tables. And over the next several decades I’ll work on the overflow of my mind and heart. With possessions and hearts alike, some treasures are for keeping and some are for sharing.

I pray for God’s guidance to sort and separate wisely.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. lynniegirl45@hotmail.com