The Trouble with Hidden Messes

I love a challenge.

So when my sweet friend Glynnis began her Clutter-Free Challenge, I could hardly wait to glean some wisdom and hopefully tackle an area in my home that felt overwhelming: my bedroom drawers.

Over the years I have saved special cards, mementos, drawings, notes and letters by dumping them into two catch-all drawers in my bedroom. It wasn't a good system, but I couldn't bear to part with the meaningful things, and didn't know what else to do. So, my drawers bulged and I tried not to hyperventilate when I had to open one.

Step One: Acknowledging the evidence:

A drawer so stuffed it couldn't open all the way.

Then Glynnis wrote this blog post and I heard the Hallelujah chorus, which I took as a call to action.

The trouble with hidden messes is they may be out of sight, but they're never truly out of our minds. Or our hearts. Hidden messes take up space and slow us down.

Step Two: The evaluation. This involved dumping all the contents of the drawer onto my bed, and sorting through it. I filled an entire plastic grocery bag with junk I no longer wanted. While most of the stuff in my drawer was good, some wasn't, and many items were a mystery--why on earth was I holding on to it?

Emptying the drawer, sorting my stuff, and tossing the trash.

Are there things in our hearts that no longer belong there? Offenses we could get rid of by forgiving, disappointments we could release, or hurts we could lift to God, instead of cramming our hearts so full that they no longer open all the way?

Step Three: Assign a place for my special things. I made a quick trip to Walmart to purchase (1) a memory box (I chose a Rubbermaid container with a snap-on lid, but you could go for pretty if you prefer) and (2) plastic sheet protectors. I already owned several 3-ring binders. (See Glynnis' post, above, for her instructions and more suggestions.)

When our hearts are hit hard by the issues of life, we can gently lift them to Jesus, who is our our safe refuge--the One with whom we can safely process all of life's stuff. He is our assigned place.

Exhaling: What a relief to enjoy my things instead

of freaking out about overly-stuffed drawers.

Step 4: Stick to the plan--follow it even when it's not convenient. Now that I have a 3-ring binder for special notes, mementos, etc., and a memory box for larger items, I intend to use them. I want to enjoy my freshly cleaned drawers. What a pleasure to open them without feeling my blood-pressure spike.

My newly tidied drawer.

The process of cleaning out one of my drawers took about 30 minutes from start to finish. I have no idea why I waited so long, but here's the thing--it's never too late to clean out a drawer. We can just decide to do it, and then enjoy the results.

It's the same with our hearts. Hidden messes create a lot of pressure, anxiety, and frustration. But Jesus is waiting for us to dump the contents of our hearts onto Him and begin sorting. The cool thing is He loves us regardless of what's stuffed in there. And He is able to make them fresh and clean once again. And best of all, there will be plenty of room. Because ultimately, we want more room in our hearts and lives for Him.

Walking Out a Slow Miracle

When we're hoping and believing for a situation in our lives to change--maybe even hoping for a miracle--it helps to understand the sometimes achingly slow process.

The truth is, miracles are often crock-pot slow, and if you're anything like me, you'd prefer it can-opener quick. I'm the absolute queen of wanting it yesterday, but I have learned that God's way, even though it feels like slow motion, is far better than anything I can manipulate or force, and the only way that brings peace and lasting change.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

While waiting is not my favorite thing, I've discovered a few things that have helped. Here are 3 tips to help you wait better:

Don't Keep Lifting the Lid - "Touch the crock-pot lid and die!" may or may not be something you'll hear in the vicinity of my kitchen. Why? Because every time the lid goes up, it adds 15 minutes to the cooking time. It interferes with the entire crock-pot process. How many times do we interfere with God's plans by trying to peek under the lid and figure out what's going on? When we can't keep our hands off of God's work-in-progress, we're essentially telling Him we don't care for His timing, and that perhaps we can do it better. And we become a hindrance to His plan that may unintentionally yet ultimately prolong our wait.

Let it Go - Crock-pots are designed to work without fussing. We just dump in our ingredients, turn it on, and go. I can be gone all day and come home to a fragrant house! The anticipation of an already-waiting meal makes me smile all day long. But once we've dumped our cares and concerns to the Lord, do we trust Him to keep things simmering? Are we free to go out and focus on other things, knowing that He is at work? And are we smiling all day, knowing good things are in store? (Ouch!)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Don't Unplug - Imagine arriving home from work to a cold, raw meal in your crock-pot, simply because you forgot to plug it in. (Not that this has ever happened to me...) We can't disconnect from God and expect to have the strength to endure the wait. He is our source. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Including waiting (with a good attitude) for our miracle to unfold.

Slow cookers unite! There are countless crock-pot miracles simmering in the waiting hearts of women across America. By His grace, we will continue to believe. And we will wait well.

Sometimes Miracles Unfold Slowly

When I think of miracles, I tend to imagine then in a Bam! Poof! sort of way. And there are multiple biblical examples of just that.

But sometimes a miracle is achingly slow.

And sometimes we have to cling to what feels like a wispy vapor of hope while God works and we cooperate to bring the miracle to pass. And by cooperating I mean we wait without giving up. We trust. We believe in spite of how things look. And we do our part even when it costs us.

My marriage is a good example. For a dozen pain-filled years I fervently hoped that God would radically touch my husband's heart. At that time, my husband was not a believer, and I endured a cold, tense, anger-filled home. I sensed God asking me to stay when everything in me wanted to run hard and long. I sensed Him whispering that He was at work. And I sensed Him asking me to persevere when things were ugly.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9)

I think that in today's world, our ability to wait has been stunted (in part) by our culture and technology. Most people (myself included) have underdeveloped patience. And while cell phones, the internet, and microwave aren't entirely to blame, they probably play a part. We've become accustomed to instant.

But God doesn't always work that way.

God is more interested in the development of our faith and character than in performing genie-like spectacular events that result in a life of Utopian ease.

A dozen years of praying finally resulted in the beginning of a miracle. My husband gave his life to Christ, and while I rejoiced, the waiting and cooperating part had really just begun. Now the two had to learn to become one. Forgiveness had to be worked through. Old habits needed radical, godly transformation. And the process was gritty, hard, and often painfully unpleasant.

But we held on. We kept on. And we moved on--with the Lord. And six months ago we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. A true miracle.

Maybe you're at the place where you need a miracle in your life. And I will link arms with you and believe God right along with you for just that. But I'd like to ask you to consider the possibility that perhaps your miracle has already begun.

Yes, sometimes miracles unfold slowly. But they're always, always worth waiting for.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, and it hastens to the end fulfillment; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait earnestly for it; because it will surely come, it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. (Habakkuk 2:3)

The WINNER of a signed copy of Glynnis Whitwer's book, "I Used to Be So Organized" is Susan Stillwell. Congratulations, Susan! Send me your snail-mail address so you can receive your new book.

Once Upon a Time, All My Ducks Were in a Row

I'm a natural organizer. I love to clean out closets, tidy the pantry, and be able to easily find things in the cupboard under my bathroom sink.

But over the years, imperceptibly, things changed. Life got busier. My kids grew into not-so-tidy teenagers; I started a writing career and began juggling multiple projects at once; four grandchildren came into my life; and then came Facebook. Before I knew it, my once glowing closets, pantry, and cupboards began to look scary.

On top of that, my 50-year old mind doesn't help. I smash countless carpet fibers zooming from room to room trying to locate my glasses; I forget where I specifically set my phone/Kindle/list; a freshly made salad will languish and die in the back of my fridge; and the mail and paper pile near my telephone could create a bonfire that would light the nights of the entire Gulf Coast of Florida for a month and a half.

Fortunately for me, my inner organizational freak occasionally springs to life and I tackle the most dangerous areas before anyone gets hurt.

And fortunately for us all, my sweet friend, Glynnis Whitwer has written a fantastic book called I Used to Be So Organized: Help for Reclaiming Order and Peace, and I crave order and peace!

On top of that, Glynnis is hosting a January Clutter-Free Challenge on her BLOG that will help even those of us who misplace our glasses every cotton-pickin' day. {Ahem.}

Has life gotten crazier for you, too? Do you long to get some of your ducks back in a row? I'm giving away a signed copy of "I Used to Be So Organized" to the person who convinces me they need it most. So go ahead, tell me why you need Glynnis' book. **To qualify, you must either: (1) Have a blog with your email information on it, OR (2) Leave your email address along with your comment, so I can notify you if you win.**

Starting Your Year Right

Like a sparkling landscape freshened with pristine snow, a new year beckons.

Inherently, I yearn to link arms with the Lord and come into agreement with His plans and purposes for me and my family for this year. I feel challenged to re-calibrate my heart and life. One of the ways I do this is to focus on some specific areas that will fine-tune my heart.

The first thing I do is choose my Bible reading plan for the year. I usually start thinking about this at the beginning of December, and typically this changes from year to year. In 2011 I did something completely different and read through the entire New Testament three times. The year before that I read through the Bible chronologically. This year, I've decided to return to my favorite, the One-Year Bible. If you make the commitment now, you are declaring to the Lord (and yourself!) that His word is vital, and you are more likely to stay on target and filled with the truth and power of God's word all year long.

Next I choose a fast. Before you skip this section, let me assure you I am not sister super-Christian and do not delight in denying myself. But I'm convinced that the breakthroughs and successes God has brought in my life always begin in January, when I choose to make Him more important than food. I've come to think of it as a special date I wouldn't dream of missing. If you are unable to fast due to medical reasons, consider a different type of fast: a media fast (so-long, Facebook!), or a TV fast. You can also fast from sweets, coffee, or your absolute favorite foods only.

Then I pray specifically. As the new year dawns, I ask the Lord to:

• Open the doors that He wants opened in my life, and close the doors He wants closed.
• Orchestrate divine appointments, divine relationships, and divine opportunities.
• Place the materials in my hands He wants me to have this year, be it books, CD's, magazine articles, whatever.
• Establish all of my goals, causing my thoughts to become agreeable to His will.
• Give me ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying.

This year, I've asked the Lord to show me one thing I can change to grow closer to Him. To my surprise, He's already done it. For 22 years I've read my Bible at night before bed. I always prayed in the morning, but I loved that my Bible was the last thing I saw before I went to sleep, and felt like His word marinated in my heart all night. That all began to change mid-year; my evenings have become less quiet and it became harder and harder to focus (never mind all the interruptions!). Last month I started reading my Bible in the morning, right after my prayer time, and I absolutely love it! To every thing there is a season.

Ask God to show you one thing to help you grow closer to Him this year. Like me, you may be surprised at His simple answer.

My New Year's Prayer for You!

I wish you a peaceful New Year. May you prosper and be in good health as your soul prospers. May the Lord be gracious to you and make His face to shine upon you. And may you hear His voice and sense His presence like never before in 2012.

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)