Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: And now, Adventures in Odyssey.

David Parker: Boxes, a bike with training wheels, an old car seat.

Red: Mr. Parker!

David Parker: Oh, hi Red.

Red: Hey, I brought you that tire patch kit like I promised.

David Parker: Oh, well thank you. You didn't need to go to any trouble.

Red: Oh, it's no trouble. Patch kits in my business are as common as pig tracks.

David Parker: Pig tracks are common in your business?

Red: It's a figure of speech. I'm retired. Anyway, there's no keeping pigs in the neighborhood, zoning regulations and all that. So, you need some help with anything, Mr. Parker?

David Parker: Oh, please, call me David. And no, that's okay. I'm just trying to get to the sprinkler system controls. I have to reset the watering times.

Red: You know, some people might consider all this stuff in front of your fuse box and sprinkler controls as a safety hazard.

David Parker: Sure, and I would agree with them. My family, on the other hand, seems to think the garage is the catch-all for the stuff they can't put anywhere else.

You see these boxes? These are decorations from last year's bake sale at church. And what is this junk? Broken car models. This is ridiculous. It's like a giant junk drawer.

Red: Well, you need any help?

David Parker: Oh, no, that's okay, thanks. I just need to shift things around a little. Terrific.

Red: You all right?

David Parker: Yes. A box full of mugs? Why were we keeping a box full of old mugs?

Red: Well, you technically aren't no more.

David Parker: Why do we have all this clutter? I'm sick of it. There has to be something I can do with all this stuff.

Red: Say, have you considered doing a garage sale? You get to clear out your junk and pocket some cash all at the same time.

David Parker: I suppose. I have to tell you, though, I'd be embarrassed for the neighbors to see what a mess our house is.

Red: Well, you don't have to worry about that. We just look at the state of your yard, we can guess what the inside of that house must look like.

David Parker: What?

Red: Well, the funny thing is, what you think is useless junk is sometimes the stuff you sell first. At a garage sale just last week, I found a genuine bobblehead doll of Millard Fillmore. Oh, that's the president, not the druggist.

David Parker: You collect bobblehead dolls?

Red: Oh, I know. I'm filling out a set for Uncle Quinton. Now, there's a find. A wood sander still in the box. You put that up for sale, I'd jump on that like a duck on a Junebug.

David Parker: Oh, I'm sorry, Red. I probably wouldn't sell that. I still plan to use it.

Red: Really? Well, how long has it been in the box?

David Parker: Three years.

Red: Gotcha. I've had a few plans like that. Sometimes I think, "Well," or then again, "I don't know."

David Parker: Right. Well, I've never tried woodworking, but I thought I might build some stools for the breakfast nook in the kitchen. But first, I'm going to get through this junk if it kills me.

Red: Mr. Parker.

David Parker: Please, call me David.

Red: David, look out!

David Parker: Yes. Excuse me, will you, Red? I want to go inside and confer with my family about a garage sale.

Chris: It's hard to trust a lot of entertainment these days, but you can always trust Adventures in Odyssey. Every episode is packed with biblical truth your kids will understand and hang on to. Join the Adventures in Odyssey Club today at AdventuresInOdyssey.com.

Matthew Parker: A garage sale?

David Parker: That's right. It's time we get the junk out of this garage and the rest of this house. We can get it done this weekend and have the garage sale next weekend.

Olivia Parker: This weekend? But Dad, you don't understand.

David Parker: No, you don't understand, Olivia. One way or the other, we are going to get rid of all the useless clutter in our lives.

Matthew Parker: Define clutter.

Camilla Parker: Yeah.

Eva Parker: Your father's right, kids. It doesn't have to be a big deal. All we have to do is sort through some of the stuff we have piling up around here. Even though planning for this might have been better.

David Parker: Well, maybe so. But a little family spontaneity is good for us, right?

Matthew Parker: Yeah, but I thought family spontaneity is when we suddenly do something fun.

Olivia Parker: Yeah, this is more spontaneous, not fun kind of family thing. Dad, today is the only chance I'll have to practice with Margaret for the talent contest at school.

And I told everybody we were going to do it. And this is the worst possible thing that could happen. You said I could be in the show.

Matthew Parker: But the talent show isn't for another two months. Why is this your only chance to practice?

Olivia Parker: Would you be quiet, Matthew?

David Parker: Okay, I understand. And I think—

Matthew Parker: Wait, if she gets to go to her little dance rehearsal, then I should get to go do what I planned, right?

David Parker: Well, what were your plans?

Matthew Parker: Mr. Whittaker was going to let me help him with the new invention idea.

David Parker: Okay. And what about you, Camilla? You've been awfully quiet. Do you have a woeful reason why you can't help this weekend?

Camilla Parker: No, I just want to do what you want me to do. I love you, Daddy.

David Parker: I love you too, honey, but I'm afraid that won't get you out of this cleanup.

Camilla Parker: Oh man.

David Parker: Look, I understand that everybody is busy and that this is the last thing you want to do. So, I'm willing to compromise.

Matthew Parker: Really? Oh, thank you, Daddy!

David Parker: No problem. As long as you all agree, then I'll be happy to do it all myself.

Matthew Parker: That'll be great!

Eva Parker: Hold on. What do you mean you'll do it yourself?

David Parker: Oh, I'll do it all myself. And I will toss out or sell whatever I think should go. Just leave it to me.

Matthew Parker: Wait, you mean you'll get rid of the stuff in our rooms too?

David Parker: Mm-hmm.

Olivia Parker: Margaret and I can practice after church tomorrow.

Matthew Parker: The bagel slicer can wait.

Camilla Parker: I didn't have any plans anyway.

David Parker: Great. Then let's have at it. You all start in your rooms and I will tackle the garage. Go on, I'm serious.

Matthew Parker: Dad's blue for me. Thanks.

Olivia Parker: You need to get rid of stuff. Look in your closet.

Eva Parker: That was muy bueno. Very smooth, Mr. Parker.

David Parker: Why, thank you, Mrs. Parker.

David Parker: There we go. Let's see. Paint supplies, tool chest, saws. The sander. Now, where did I put that sander?

Whit: Good morning, David.

David Parker: Oh, hi Whit. You may want to stay there by the garage door. I wouldn't come in here without a hard hat and safety gear.

Whit: So when Matthew called, he said you're having a yard sale?

David Parker: Oh, that's next weekend. This weekend we're getting ready for it. It's our little family project.

Whit: Little? From all the stuff on the front lawn, I'd say it's anything but little. Oh hey, you've got some early customers too. You may want to put up a sign telling everyone that the sale is not today.

David Parker: Oh. Sorry, the sale is next week.

Guest (Male): Okay, thanks.

David Parker: I'm using the yard as sort of a staging area. That's the stuff I want to keep, not sell. Though I'm having a hard time deciding what should stay and what should go.

Whit: Well, I have the same problem when I try to declutter. I keep thinking that I ought to hold on to things on the off chance that I'll need them someday. But there's only so much room for it all.

David Parker: So what do you do with all your junk?

Whit: Well, my wife Jenny had an old rule. If you get something new, you have to get rid of something old.

David Parker: How do you do that? Our house is full of stuff we use and stuff we don't use but want to keep for sentimental reasons. Did your wife have a rule for sorting those out?

Whit: Well, actually, she did. Those things we use, she kept close by where we could get to them easily. Those things that we held on to for other reasons, she kept in the harder-to-get-to places.

David Parker: That's a good rule. But you didn't really just drop by to talk about my junk.

Whit: Oh, thanks for reminding me. I need to talk to Eva. I'm putting together a health fair for a charity that helps the homeless and thought she might donate her nursing skills to us for the day.

David Parker: Oh, okay. Come on in.

Olivia Parker: Dad! Could you please take your youngest daughter back to wherever you found her? She's driving me crazy!

Whit: Then again, maybe we should stay out here.

David Parker: Oh boy. Give me a minute, will you?

Whit: Sure.

Olivia Parker: What are you doing? That's mine!

Camilla Parker: Nope, you don't need this, you don't need that, and you don't need this either.

Olivia Parker: Says who? I do too.

David Parker: Whoa, whoa, whoa, alright you two, what is going on in here?

Olivia Parker: Camilla keeps trying to throw out my things. Would you give me that?

Camilla Parker: That's not true. There's my pile, right there.

David Parker: That's a pile? Two stuffed animals?

Camilla Parker: That's the only junk I've got. Everything else is very important.

Olivia Parker: Important? You think that your collection of old soccer shoes is important? Most of them don't even fit you anymore.

Camilla Parker: I'm going to have them bronzed after I play in the World Cup.

Matthew Parker: Dad, she takes up two-thirds of the room with all her stuff.

Olivia Parker: I'm the older sister, remember? I've lived longer. I've got more to show for it.

Matthew Parker: I'm always tripping over her fold-out mall and her ancient disco ballerina clothing store. She's too old to play with them anyway.

Olivia Parker: I saved them for you!

Matthew Parker: Sure, as if I like pink poodles, pink convertibles, and pink hair salon dryers. They're disgusting.

Olivia Parker: You want to talk about disgusting? Here, Dad, smell these shoes.

David Parker: No thank you.

Olivia Parker: See, we need to get rid of them.

Camilla Parker: Hey, those are my good soccer shoes! Dad!

David Parker: Okay, okay, calm down. We can figure this out without a lot of drama. Let's think fairly.

Camilla Parker: Oh, I know what that means. Throw all of Olivia's things out. That's the way it always is. You always side with her and never let me do what I think is best.

David Parker: Always? Never? You're not going to get anywhere by throwing those two words at me.

Olivia Parker: But Dad—

David Parker: Listen, there has to be a way of sorting through these things without it becoming a crisis. And the first rule is that you don't try to get rid of someone else's things. Got it?

You're responsible for your own. Your mother and I will make some executive decisions about what else goes later. Now, let's try to use some good sense here. I mean, this is a big room.

Camilla Parker: Not big enough.

David Parker: Let's look at your music. Olivia, when was the last time you listened to Scratchpost Kitty?

Olivia Parker: That's not mine, that's Camilla's.

David Parker: Really? Let me see.

Camilla Parker: I forgot I even had that.

Olivia Parker: Aha!

David Parker: Well, there we go. Garage sale bound.

Camilla Parker: Wait, can I listen to it first? I might like it.

David Parker: Well, fine, but that means you have to get rid of some of these other discs you don't listen to. And your keepsake soccer shoes, we'll put in a box and, let's see, we can hide them down here under your bed. Uh-oh. What in the world? Camilla, what's all this under your bed?

Camilla Parker: Well, I—

Olivia Parker: Uh-huh!

David Parker: It's packed solid with—are these dirty clothes? How old is this sock? Did something die in it? It looks like it has rigor mortis.

Olivia Parker: Gross!

Camilla Parker: Well, where else can I put them? She takes up the whole closet.

David Parker: How about the laundry basket, for one thing? And what's all this other stuff, like those old skates? Don't tell me they're a keepsake. You only wore them once. Put them in your pile.

Camilla Parker: Okay, Dad.

David Parker: And Olivia, surely you can get rid of some of these dolls and clothes in the closet to give your sister more room.

Olivia Parker: Okay.

David Parker: Good. Now get to it, girls. Oh, and no more screaming out the window. It makes the neighbors nervous. We have enough trouble getting a babysitter as it is. Now, I wonder where your mother is hiding.

David Parker: Oh, here you are.

Eva Parker: Hi. Did you mean to leave Whit standing out front?

David Parker: Oh, no.

Eva Parker: I found him when I took a box down to the garage. I'm going to help him out with the health fair, by the way.

David Parker: I figured you would. Sign me up for whatever I can do.

Eva Parker: Okay. So what were the girls screaming about?

David Parker: Oh, you heard that?

Eva Parker: Mm-hmm.

David Parker: Over what to keep and what to get rid of. I don't get it. How is it that they never even think about most of what they have until I want to get rid of it? And then suddenly everything is precious and valuable.

So what are you doing up here? Wait, did you bring all these bags and boxes up from the basement?

Eva Parker: I did.

David Parker: Excellent. I will add them to the sale pile.

Eva Parker: You will not.

David Parker: But honey—

Eva Parker: Put that box down and back away slowly.

David Parker: What are you doing?

Eva Parker: Don't you recognize those toys?

David Parker: I guess, yes. Looks like a lot of baby junk. What am I not seeing?

Eva Parker: Baby junk? Olivia said her first word because of that block. Remember? It has a Christmas tree on the side. You held it out and she saw the tree and said "Kismas."

David Parker: Eva, I don't think she said "Kismas."

Eva Parker: "Kismas." She certainly did.

David Parker: No, no, no, I remember. She was trying to eat the snowman ornament and choked on it.

Eva Parker: You don't know. You never remember these things. You are heartless.

David Parker: Thank you, though it sounds better in Spanish.

Eva Parker: Each one of these toys, these drawings are special. I'll give up my own things before I give these up.

David Parker: Works for me. Where do we start?

Eva Parker: I was speaking symbolically.

David Parker: Okay. How about this? Let's sort through some of these things and come up with the items that mean the most. I'll put them all together in a nice safe storage box.

Eva Parker: I like that.

David Parker: And then we can discard the less memorable items. We might be able to cut this pile in half. Half is a reasonable compromise, don't you think?

Eva Parker: I'll try, but it will hurt.

David Parker: I know, but we'll get through it somehow.

Eva Parker: Okay.

David Parker: I'm going to go check on Matthew and see how he's coming along. I tell you, it'll be a miracle if we actually ever get rid of this clutter.

Eva Parker: The clutter is meaningful.

David Parker: Honey.

David Parker: Matt, what are you doing?

Matthew Parker: Dad, is this cool or what?

David Parker: Um...

Matthew Parker: I found this train set in the back of my closet. I totally forgot I had it. It was Grandpa's, remember?

David Parker: Yeah, but I thought you were sorting through old things to sell in the garage sale, not setting up a train.

Matthew Parker: I was, but when I found it, I had to see if it still worked. Look how I used books to make the railway yard. And I found an old sock of Camilla's to make the Bog of Stench over there. Isn't that wild?

David Parker: Yeah, that's wild. But—

Matthew Parker: And watch this.

David Parker: Whoa, how did you do that? I don't remember the set ever having a drawbridge.

Matthew Parker: I know, I made it myself with an electric motor from my Constructo set. I can control everything right from the transformer. Is that awesome or what?

David Parker: Let me try. Whoa, cool! That is good work, son.

Matthew Parker: That's not all. Remember that old voice-command robot I got two Christmases ago?

David Parker: Uh-huh.

Matthew Parker: I dug that out of my toy chest, took it apart, and hooked it up with the train.

David Parker: No.

Matthew Parker: Yeah. Watch the caboose. Robot attack! It shoots missiles!

David Parker: Oh, that is incredible. We ought to market this. We could make a mint!

Matthew Parker: You think so?

David Parker: A train with a drawbridge and a caboose that shoots missiles? Are you kidding?

Eva Parker: Hello, boys.

David Parker: Oh, hi honey. Look at what—um, we should probably shut down the train, Matthew.

Matthew Parker: What?

Eva Parker: What's going on in here? What are you guys doing?

David Parker: We were just taking a break and got a little distracted.

Olivia Parker: Do you need help carrying all this junk out?

Matthew Parker: What? No way. This stuff is staying.

Olivia Parker: Really? So if Matthew can keep his train in his room, then I guess I can keep my ballerina set. I'm taking it out of the garage sale pile.

Matthew Parker: Okay, wait.

Camilla Parker: Then I guess I can keep all my stuffed animals too.

David Parker: Now, hold on, everybody. Hold on for what? We have to be fair, right? I didn't say anything about keeping the train in here.

Matthew Parker: What? But you just said we could market it and make a mint.

David Parker: I didn't mean that we should leave it set up, no.

Matthew Parker: What? You're not going to make me get rid of it, are you? You can't.

Eva Parker: But look, you have to make up your mind, David, or—

Olivia Parker: Ballerina!

Camilla Parker: Stuffed animals!

David Parker: Okay, everyone down to the living room. Let's talk.

David Parker: Alright, guys, alright. Look, I think we're all missing the point here. We're cleaning house today because we've got too much clutter.

Matthew Parker: We got that part, Dad, but one man's clutter is another man's precious thing.

David Parker: Understood, but it's not all precious. It's not all worth keeping.

Camilla Parker: But it's not all junk either.

David Parker: I know, I know, but it's crazy that we live in a house this big and are bursting at the seams. I don't want to be unreasonable, but we have to do something, even if it means sacrificing a little.

And I think you all ought to come to the window and see that your dad is leading by example.

Matthew Parker: What are you talking about?

Eva Parker: Look, on the front yard. While we've been in here squabbling over little things that we hardly ever use, your father has gathered together all of those tools and things to sell.

David Parker: Alright, Dad! Well, that's not exactly—I mean, I could see how you would see that, but I mean, those tools on the front yard are things that—what was that sound?

Camilla Parker: Uh-oh. Sounds like the sprinkler system.

David Parker: It can't be. I set it for five o'clock. It's only two.

Matthew Parker: Yep, it's definitely the sprinklers. Your stuff is getting soaked.

David Parker: Quick, everybody, to the front yard! Get some towels! We'll cover things up!

Matthew Parker: It's okay, Dad. Most of the stuff will be fine to sell.

Olivia Parker: Yeah, only a couple of boxes got really soaked.

Camilla Parker: What's this thing, Dad? I've never even seen you use it. It looks expensive.

David Parker: It is. It's a finishing saw, a gift from your Uncle Javier.

Eva Parker: Javier is the power tool king.

David Parker: Yeah, he is, but I'm not. Though one day—

Eva Parker: One day what?

David Parker: One day nothing. He's a power tool king and I'm not. And you know what? I probably never will be.

Eva Parker: It's all right, honey. You don't need to be a carpenter. I married you for your brains and that dimpled chin.

David Parker: No, I mean I've been holding on to these tools not because I use them or even know how to use them, but because they're expensive. And I keep thinking that one day I will use them.

But if I haven't used them yet, I probably won't. You know, I bet there are a lot of people around who'd really get some good use out of these.

Matthew Parker: And that's why you decided to sell them, right?

David Parker: Not really, but yeah, that's why I've now decided to sell them. Look, we've got tons of stuff that we hardly ever use that other people will. Just think of the toys you don't play with and the kids without toys who'd love to have them.

Matthew Parker: Well, what are you saying, Dad?

David Parker: How would we prioritize what we keep or get rid of if we knew that what we get rid of will help people in need? And what if we donated our things to those who will actually use and enjoy them?

Olivia Parker: You want us to donate everything?

David Parker: No, some we can donate and the rest we can sell at the garage sale and give that money to charity.

Eva Parker: Oh, we could make it a fundraiser for Whit's health fair! That's perfect. What do you guys think?

Camilla Parker: You mean there are kids who don't have stuffed animals who will play with mine? I can give them out to the kids at the health fair. That's a good idea.

Matthew Parker: Hey, I've got lots of little kid books I can give out too.

Olivia Parker: It'll be hard to let go of my ballerina set, but isn't that the idea of sacrifice? It's hard but worth doing.

Matthew Parker: But what about my train set? I mean, it's not just a train set. I made it into something I don't want to get rid of. I want to set it up and keep working on it. I'd love Mr. Whittaker to see it too.

David Parker: It won't fit in your room, though. In fact, I can't think of anywhere in the house where we can set it up properly.

Eva Parker: Oh, wait. Wait, that's it! Why don't you ask Whit?

David Parker: Ask Whit what?

Eva Parker: Didn't you say something about him having that new area at Whit's End for a new invention? That's right, some kind of showcase. Maybe he'll let you guys set the train up there.

Matthew Parker: On display at Whit's End? That'd be so cool!

David Parker: That is a wonderful idea. So, do we all understand what we have to do?

Matthew Parker: Got it! I'm in!

David Parker: We'll start again and bring everything down.

Olivia Parker: Yep. Come on, you guys! Let's go.

David Parker: I think this is going to turn out well after all.

Eva Parker: I do too.

David Parker: Oh, by the way, that was muy bueno, Mrs. Parker.

Eva Parker: Why, thank you, Mr. Parker.

Red: Well, Mr. Parker!

David Parker: Hello.

Red: Looks like your garage sale's a major success.

David Parker: Yes, it's been a good day. And what's great is that because the money is going to charity, I don't have to haggle. Oh, and thanks for helping out, Red.

Red: Oh, it was fun. Nothing like a good garage sale to take up a Saturday. I'm happier than a sleeping hog in the sunshine.

David Parker: You really big on catchphrases centered around farm animals, aren't you?

Red: They make me smile like a fat tick on a skinny dog.

David Parker: I thought so. Oh, I put something aside for you. It's over here.

Red: Really? You're not keeping a secret stash of them bobblehead dolls around, is you?

David Parker: No, no, no, but I think you'll still like it. Here you go. Oh, my stars and garters! Your wood sander! Well, thank you, Mr. Parker. How much I owe you for this?

David Parker: Not a thing. I just hope you get some good use out of it.

Red: Well, I don't know what to say. Thank you, Mr.—

David Parker: No, no, David.

Red: Thank you, David. Now, if you don't mind, I need to find me a piece of wood something fierce.

David Parker: Well, don't let me stand in your way.

Red: Hey, I'll see you! Thanks again!

Eva Parker: Red looks cheery.

David Parker: Yeah, like a duck doing the jitterbug.

Eva Parker: What?

David Parker: I don't know, something like that.

Eva Parker: Well, thank you, honey, for making this happen. I think it's a good thing for all of us.

David Parker: Yeah, the kids have done a great job. You know, even Matthew said he was happy to get all the junk out of his closet. He started putting his shoes in there. Imagine, using a closet for clothes, of all things.

Eva Parker: Where has he been keeping them up until now?

David Parker: In his sock drawer.

Eva Parker: And his socks?

David Parker: It's better not to ask.

Eva Parker: Well, it's all for the good.

David Parker: And one more side benefit—I can actually park the car in the garage tonight.

Eva Parker: Well, miracles never cease. And to think, trying to make your way back to the sprinkler system got the whole thing rolling.

David Parker: That's right. Uh-oh.

Eva Parker: What?

David Parker: I never reset the timer. What time is it?

Eva Parker: It's almost two o'clock.

David Parker: Oh no, oh no! Everybody move! Hurry! Off the lawn! Oh no! Olivia, look out! Red, behind you! Sorry! Really sorry, everybody!

Eva Parker: Oh, David!

Chris: It's so easy to spend our time thinking on the things of this world, whether it's keeping clothes out of the yard sale pile or dreaming about all the new toys or gizmos we want to buy. Things can take over our lives if we're not careful.

In Matthew 6, Jesus said, "Don't store up your treasures here on earth, where moths can eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

In the future, whenever I start thinking about how important all my clutter is, I'll try to think about the one who gave me everything I have: God. Speaking of clutter, you should see the inside of my closet.

Well, you can find out more about clutter, including discussion questions, devotionals, and how to get your own copy on our website at WhitsEnd.org. Today's adventure is included in Album 51: Take it From the Top, along with 11 other adventures.

Plus, you can write to us at Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family.

"Clutter" was written by Bob Hoose, with sound design by Christopher Diehl, and music by John Campbell. Our cast included Mark Evan Jackson, Amanda Troop, Hope Levy, and Zack Callison. And I'm Chris. Hope you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.