I’ve worked at a lot of different jobs in my lifetime and in my early years I worked at Home Support. It was when the program first started in Vancouver and used to do handyman services, such as lawn mowing, painting, weeding, washing walls, house cleaning and minor fixing jobs for seniors in their own homes. The cost to them was generally free unless they could afford something.
One job I did was probably one of the worst and that was for a client in an apartment that used to have a 2nd hand store. I’m not sure why, but the store closed, and she moved everything into her one-bedroom apartment and made little isles through it so she could get around. All the clothing was piled into her bedroom to the ceiling. There was some room to sleep, but very little. The kitchen was piled with garbage, plus pots and pans with her appliances also covered with stuff. Her oven door was open as this was Winter and this was her only source of heat. She didn’t cook as there no place to do that, but there were opened and empty cat food cans in the kitchen, and I don’t think she had a cat.
The reason we got called into this job was because exterminators were going to have to go into the apartment building to get rid of the cock roaches and bed bugs, she had in her place that spread into the whole apartment building and she was going to have to move. So, we moved all her things into a shipping container so it could be fumigated and then they had to dig a trench around the whole apartment and fumigate the whole building.
I once asked her if I could buy one the articles, she had…she was a real wheeler dealer and wouldn’t take less than her asking price. It was for a camera tripod…her asking price was around its new price, in other words she didn’t want to get rid of it.
She was moved into a house and all her things were put in the garage on the property. I seem to remember an issue later with her, but I was likely gone from Home Support by then. I do however hope the client got some help. I would be surprised if they just put her in a house and didn’t do home visits to see how she was making out. (that was the other part of Home Support I didn’t work with)
A lot of us carry baggage in our lives, whether its items we just can’t get rid of or memories we can’t shake. In this client’s case she may have had a disability that brought her here, it’s not for me to say. For myself, I have a need for everything. (lol, my wife doesn’t think so, at the moment she’s reorganizing my office) There is always downsizing, I guess.
The Lord doesn’t want us to be bogged down with stuff either. For the most part our stuff takes our eyes and thoughts off God. We may not be hoarders, but we may try and keep up with the “Jones” or need the latest car, updated house. Below are some texts from the Bible to hopefully adjust your focus a little if you are a Christian. If you aren’t a Christian, they still may help you also, because “keeping up with the Jones” causes stress and Jesus can definitely help you in that department.
Gus
thevoiceofhimcrying@gmail.com

Luke 12:34 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew Chapter 6:31-33 – 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Timothy Chapter 6:6-10 – 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 16:26 – For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?