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I’m the world’s worst about keeping everything. So, in the last couple of weeks, my wife and I decided to start the process of reducing clutter in our house. Now, a little insider info: What that really means is getting rid of a lot of my books.

Being in the publishing business, I receive a lot review copies. So, we got started boxing up books. We’re now at over thirty boxes of books to give away, and more coming. Good bye, my friends.

While sorting through everything, I came across Henry Nouwen’s book, Making All Things New. For me, discarding books is much like those of us who love chocolate trying to trash excess candy boxes—one can’t help but stop and partake during the process. So even though Henry’s little book was saved from banishment, I still had to sit and read it for a while. Here’s something I came across…

“One of the most notable characteristics of worrying is that it fragments our lives. The many things to do, to think about, to plan for, the many people to remember, to visit, or to talk with, the many causes to attack or defend, all these pull us apart and make us lose our center. Worrying causes us to be ‘all over the place,’ but seldom at home. One way to express the spiritual crisis of our time is to say that most of us have an address but cannot be found there.” 

I must admit, I worry more than I should. I’ve noticed worry consumes my time and thought, which, as Henry might say, leaves an empty house when others come to visit. Henry hit me where it hurts.

After reading these words, I decided to try something new this year during the Christmas season. While I love this time or year, my mind always drifts to business—how to improve this and how to make that better. That’s not bad, but I tend to do it a lot.

Here’s what I’ve decided to do: Our two daughters will be home from college in a week. I have a choice. I can use the time while they are here to worry about this and that. Or, I can use it to bring as much joy to our home as possible. I decided on choice #2.

So, I will do my work the best that I can—that’s my responsibility. But, when complete, I will set it aside… and then devote my full attention to my family during this wonderful time of year.

I’m going to give it a whirl. My pray is a simple one—Father, help me bring joy to those in my life this Christmas season.