Each year at this time I perform one of my massive bi-annual toy purges. (The other one occurs in May before the trio's birthday.) I usually involve the children as we make three piles: Keep, Trash and Give Away. It has historically been a good exercise because they rediscover toys they had forgotten about, are forced to prioritize what is really meaningful to them, and they get to give to others.
I realized I might need to amend this exercise recently when one of the children asked for something in a store that they already own an older version of--I reminded them of this fact and they rationalized that if I purchased the new one for them they would simply give the old one away. Uh-oh.
This morning I decided I might need to take on the pre-Christmas toy purge without the children. I don't want them to think that giving is just about passing on their leftovers. Additionally, most of the things I would dispose of will never be missed and we really need to make room for the new things that are coming in a couple of weeks. It would definitely be easier to just do it myself.
Much of the current contents of their toy baskets are broken, scattered and outgrown--their presence is a hindrance for the great gifts that have been handpicked for them. It reminds me of the human heart. I think about how many things I hold onto out of comfort--habits, grudges, hurts, fears. God wants to remove those things to make room for the new gifts He has hand picked for my life. Sometimes I get to be part of that process--evaluating and deciding (at His nudging) that it is indeed time to move on. Other times, He removes those things from my life without permission. Both processes can be painful in the short term for my long term benefit.
I am still not sure what approach is best with the children and their toys.
6 comments:
This post reminded me of Kelly Minter's study No Other Gods that I completed this summer with a group of ladies from our church - great study for all ages in life and stages of their walk with the Lord.
God spoke to my heart. Appreciate your posts!
Great point.
As usual you put it perfectly. We too have been making room for the new toys by cleaning out. It is so hard even for me to let go of some things for whatever the reason. You are so very right comparing it to the worldly things that we want to hang on to and God either nudges us or can pull the rug out from underneath us. This makes me have a lot more sympathy for my children during this process of purging...because really, am I any different than they?
Great post. Always love your angle on things and it's always amazing to see how you see God in every day things. You are very aware and "in tune".
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
E
Blessed my heart. Gave me food for thought. Loved the way you drew the analogy. Blessings on your toy "purging".
Did you ever find those silly "scuba diber gize"?
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