Set Your House in Order

I’ve been working on this one on and off for several weeks and I wasn’t 100% sure on where it was going, but today, I believe I have the conclusion of the matter.

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“Clutter causes stress.” (Author unknown)

The overarching goal for me is my home. I can let it go for a while, but then it hinders me and other things I need to be doing. I’m not even talking about cleaning regularly…although that is a goal for sure! I’m talking about simply making and leaving a mess, or clutter and disorganization.

I love to organize and be organized. I love the process of organizing…the planning, envisioning, sorting; ditching items that I’m done with; and thinking of ways to make the system better than it was before.

The problem comes when I don’t follow my own system. Perhaps, I get lazy, tired, or I have too much going on to keep the system in place. Sometimes, it’s a matter of…this system is working but just needs a little tweaking. I love that! When it falls apart, however, I often struggle with either, the stretch of time I need to put it back into place, or, the motivation to start the project that can be overwhelming in its beginning stages.

I have a small room in my house that I have gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbon, and a few bookshelves with miscellaneous items. I have it pretty well organized most of the time. Each year at Christmas, when I use it for presents, I am determined that it will NOT get out of hand this year. I may do great right up until Christmas. Then those last minute items throw the room into chaos! I don’t usually stress about it in the moment, but just accept it as I enjoy the holiday. Afterward, however…is another story. I can let it go for so long, but then it becomes a burden! This year, that room stayed, and continued, in chaos until April or May! It only got worse as I added more things to the mix, making it very difficult to use for its intended purposes.

For me, when things are disorganized, it slows me down because I have to look for what I need among the clutter. Sometimes, it costs me extra money because I might not even know I have something because I can’t see it for the mess. After a while, it makes my mind also feel cluttered, and stress begins to creep in. I know then, something has to be done.

I am very analytical, and a natural problem-solver—at least it’s my automatic default. Granted, I want with a deep desire to keep the house organized and well-kempt…declutterred and clean; however, something causes the slip. [•Problem•]

[•Solution•] Well, I stop procrastinating and tackle the problem. I also analyze and pray. You may think it sounds silly to pray about something that seems so human and menial, but God cares about every detail of our lives; and when we pray for wisdom, He is happy to help.

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.23.NLT

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.5.ESV

There are times I acknowledge and apologize (or almost apologize) for bothering Him with things so small when there are so many serious issues in the world; but I also do not hesitate to ask. And—I thank Him. I thank Him for the privilege to come to the throne boldly (see Hebrews 4:16). I thank Him for His help and answered prayers…sometimes in advance because I don’t want to forget to say thank-you when the problem is no longer drawing my focus. We can be so focused on our problems that we plead with God for help and wisdom; but how often do we forget to acknowledge His answered prayers?

Well, I am happy to report that when I started this article, I was in the throws of the clean-out; and now it is complete! It drug on for quite some time. There was purpose and a plan, and lessons learned along the way…

I decided to go shopping one day when the clean-out was only partially finished. I don’t know how many of you do this process like I do, but I will haul things out of the room I am working on, often into a common area, like the family room. So during the process, the family room becomes a total mess. Now, let me add that my laundry closet is also in the family room…just so you can get the full picture! That was the state of it when I went shopping…or tried to… I headed toward my destination, and as I got closer, none of the traffic lights were working. So, you may be able to guess—the power was out, and the store was closed…and was predicted to be off for about 2 1/2 more hours! I went to another store that was open and that I can usually do very well in; however, I realized that I just wasn’t “with it.” I needed to head home and my house needed attention.

I didn’t get a ton extra done that day as, of course, the day was partially spent; however, I realized—or was reminded—that as a woman and wife, my heart is in my home. When it is in disarray for too long, it affects other areas; therefore, I needed to quit allowing my focus to be to divided into too many different directions and focus on the project at hand. I didn’t do perfectly with that as I was sure I could fit in one more thing I already had been planning. Then I regretted it. So, to make a long story short(ER), I buckled down, took an extra day off, and whipped it! I prayed for strength for I knew that only “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13).

No, I didn’t get everything cleaned, per se; but I met the goal of the clean-out and reorganization. To put the icing on the cake, my brother came and picked up all of the things that I wanted to get rid of…including the flowers related to the extra project I mentioned! [Thanks, little bro’!] God provided wisdom and answered prayers.

Now, for the prayer for wisdom to maintain…I have prayed that I would know what changes to make to better keep it in shape in order that I may do the other things that are on my heart to do. It doesn’t need to be perfect and consume me, so I pray for balance in it. I pray that He will help me where I’ve been lax and need to step up a bit. Perhaps, I need to manage my time better. God sees where I am lacking, and I seek Him for help moving forward.

I finally felt like I earned a little break (which was great!). I’ve already been on another clean-out mission at work. Now, I am more ready for summer and looking ahead to those things on my heart to do, which includes some summer fun and relaxation! If the undergirding matters are in place; if the foundation is secure, my steps can be more steady and better move forward.

Is there something in your life that needs your attention? Something that needs your focus undivided? Something that will give undergirding support to other things your heart needs to do?

I’ve prepared my house. I’ve cleaned it out and made it ready. It is ready for the next steps…cleaning, relaxing, creating, entertaining, visiting, etc. What about the house of my heart? What about the house of your heart?

Have we taken seriously the effect it has on other aspects of our lives? On others? Is it ready for the next steps? Welcoming? Loving? Meeting the Master?

Steve says, “Right is right is nobody is doing it; and wrong is wrong if everybody is doing it.”

We can want what we, or someone we love, is doing to be right or ok, but we cannot will it to be so. We must seek God for wisdom; forgiveness where we need it that we may avoid an eternity lost and separated from God…and perhaps, influence others along the same path. (That is the mild version.)

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.8.31-32.ESV

We can gripe and complain and worry over the current affairs of the world, but the real need is to clean the house of our hearts; realize that the Bible is being fulfilled before our very eyes, which in turns equals that the Bible is true; and therefore, we need to be ready because “our redemption draweth nigh.” [KJV of the following verse…]

“Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.21.28.ESV

If you have trouble believing but want to, cry out to God and ask Him to help you believe…to know truth…to reveal Himself to you. Open your Bible and ask Him to give you understanding. Seek Him while there is still time.

I do celebrate and thank Him that my house has been put in order. I look forward to maintaining, but more-so, doing some things that are put on the back burner when things are out of sorts. As for the house of my heart, I celebrate that Jesus is King there…that He still deals with me when I need to mark up or repent…that I can talk through things with Him when there are things I don’t understand…whether it is someone’s actions, or my role in a certain matter…when there is chaos about, I can bring it to Jesus ensuring that He will guide. Sometimes, I just need to “be still.” Ultimately, my heart needs to swept and cleaned and ready for His return. I truly want you to be ready, too.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.12.2.ESV

““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.46.10.ESV

[To Hezekiah] ”…Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order…”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.38.1.ESV