This day off has turned out to be filled with emotion … all over some furniture.

When we became first-time homeowners, we recognized that furnishing our home instantaneously was not possible. So among the immediate purchases, living room furniture had been included.

It only seemed logical that this furniture would make the trip from New York to Texas when we moved. It went from hardly being used to being worn out from daily use. And as a result, there were countless memories and emotions experienced around this furniture.

There were, however, also the days of complaints being filed that it was too firm and uncomfortable for the first few years. Then, came the complaints when it became too soft and uncomfortable from years of use. In between, there were complaints that it wasn’t practical or aesthetic.

It seems like it made perfectly good sense to purchase new furniture. Yet, I found myself crying as I watched the old ones being hauled out today.

When something hangs around long enough, it seems normal and as if it should always remain. Yet, the discomforts they present are signals that it’s time for them to go. Then, why is the removal process so painful?

That’s how I felt about my struggles with anger and not having boundaries. For years, I sensed that each was a problem. But I justified that they were always a part of my character. Yet, time and again they ended up rearing their ugly heads in ways which clearly indicated that they were problematic. Something had to be done. But when I tried, it hurt so much I just didn’t think that resolving these issues could be possible.

But God. I had to submit to God. I had come to the place where I recognized that it was time for the old stuff to go so I could become who He purposed me to be. To do so, I had to trust God, to release control to Him, and to allow Him to remove that which didn’t belong. When I wanted to abandon this process, I asked for strength to endure and stay the course.

John 15:2 (AMPC) states, “Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away)”.

Dear Friend, has the Holy Spirit shown you that you have some “old furniture” in need of a hauling? Be encouraged that the Lord can help move it all out if you will surrender to this process.
~Joyce

*Stay tuned for the continuation of this post next week “In With the New”.