Hold the phone. Today I cleaned out my clothing drawers. Goodness, that was an eye opener.

After years of sifting through my kids’ clothes to keep them in season and in the correct size, it was time to clean out my own overflowing drawers. To neat and tidy people out there and to the neat and tidy person I dream of being, I apologize that I’ve failed to do a thorough job for myself until now.

I was shocked to find…the strapless bra I wore to prom (starting to turn yellow), the bustier I wore under my wedding dress (was my waist really ever that tiny?), multiple slips two sizes too small (does anyone wear those anymore?!), girdles (ewww) that my mom used to buy me even though I didn’t want them, maternity yoga-like pants from the first pregnancy, plus painting shirts and shorts from multiple projects ago that for some reason I chose to wash and store!!??? We’re talking 24 years worth of why-on-earth-did-I-save-that-stuff!

I found myself singing “Let it go, Let it go, Let it go” to the tune of “Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow….”

The old things made it hard for me to close my drawers. Keeping items I don’t need held me back from finding the newer clothing I do need.

This experience made me think of all the things we store in our minds for no good reason too–not just clothes and aging undergarments.

Don’t we do the same thing with hurt feelings, bad memories and the occasional grudge toward someone? Are the drawers of our minds overflowing sometimes? I’m afraid so.

But in the Bible, God references letting go of the old quite often. A few examples:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18

Maybe we need to make a list of thoughts we hold onto that are not helpful. Write the list and then rip it up asking God to remove the hurt. Or maybe each morning we could ask God to refresh our minds with new thoughts and new energy so that we are not held back in any way because of the past. Amen?

I’m looking forward to a fresh 2013. My drawers are cleanned out! Now I’m heading upstairs to tackle my closet (ouch!). Cleansing and refreshing is a process, one that is possible when I put in the time and seek God’s wisdom. He makes all things new.

Happy New Year!

Glenna