Jan 4, 2025 – Decluttering and Prayer

I’ve spent most of the past two days decluttering our bedroom. Over the months (maybe years), it has become the dumping place in the days prior to gatherings of friends and family in order to clear the rest of the house of the evidence of indecision. There were piles of clothes and paper; and, in an attempt to corral some of the clutter, there were even boxes filled with more clothes and paper and trinkets of all kinds. The now empty chair in the photo had been covered with all of these things that I didn’t feel like tackling.

The clutter had become part of the landscape in the room which I easily tolerated (visually, but not emotionally) promising myself I would address it all at some point. I’m pretty good at going through piles and organizing, but I tend to get distracted mid-project and things collect again, especially because of indecision (usually due to sentimentality).

Like Alex (first born of my twin sons) at Christmas last year, who gave his girlfriend a tour of the house (including the bedroom) on her first visit, Davis took his girlfriend on a tour this year. I realized that I was again giving the apologies and excuses that I’d given the year before; so, at my thyroid checkup days later, I asked my doctor about going back on ADD medicine hoping that it would help with focus and decision-making (not to mention energy).

More than ten years ago, I received confirmation through official testing that indeed I do have ADD (I don’t have the H part). I’m very glad that there is a culture of understanding now that helps people work with ADD rather than judge it in people. It would have been helpful to have known this about myself earlier in life in order understand rather than judge myself.

I understand that these medicines are supposed to calm you (thus the H part) so you can focus; but, when I’ve taken them in the past, they always hype me up which is why I always end up stopping taking them. This time was no different. Instead of the “squirrel” distraction that typically describes someone with ADD before meds (as one thing after another claims their attention), I became the squirrel scurrying around everywhere, even talking fast and non-stop! The evening of the second day on the meds, I realized (what anyone else probably could have told me sooner) that this is likely just a settling in period; so, I’m doing my best to be patient with myself.

And then I made a plan as I thought about how the last years of caring for my father have not allowed my unmedicated body & brain to focus on home care in any organized way. I just handled what spoke the loudest and tried to rest at times between that and caring for and enjoying my family and friends. I don’t know if people without ADD also deal with this, but it’s not just about finding time to get things done. We all have time; we just have to make things a priority within the time we have. I’ve certainly done that through the years, but it’s the distractions that stalls forward progress. Many cleaning and organizing projects over the years have gotten packed back up midstream to handle “later” due to having abandoned them for something else that caught my eye.

These past two days have been invigorating to my body, mind, and soul as I’ve walked into the bedroom and gradually felt the peace of the cleared spaces. Magazines are one of my biggest dust collectors. The pretty covers and interesting articles call me like sirens; so, as I went along discovering yet another pile of them, I made a stack (yes, another one) on my bed to look through when I took breaks to rest. One of my favorite magazines, that I’ve mentioned in past blogs, is Woman’s World and is the least expensive one at the checkout counter. My family and friends have been receiving photo texts for years of interesting articles and tidbits from the magazine; and, I can pretty much guarantee that I’ll be sharing more of them here since they are currently on my radar as I’ve pulled pages out so that I can throw the magazines away!

Near the front of each issue, they have book recommendations that I usually skim past because books are one of the last things I need more of. But I do love them, which is why, in the 9/11/23 issue (yes, I’ve had this one for two years), the photo of the pretty cover of White & Faded: Restoring Beauty in Your Home and Life, by Janet Parrella-Van Den Berg, caught my eye. My white house feels a little faded right now and needs a little rejuvenation. Really it was the quote in large green print within the short article that drew me in, “Decluttering your home can be truly healing and can usher in feelings of lightness and peace – and with those feelings, a sense of freedom.”  Yes, I went to Amazon and ordered the book. I’m a work in progress.

JA – “FIND JOY IN ME, for I am your Strength. It is vital to keep your Joy alive, especially in the throes of adversity…. Guard your thoughts and spoken words carefully. If you focus too much on all the things that are wrong, you will become increasingly discouraged – and your strength will be sapped. [My clutter had been doing that to me without me being willing to fully acknowledge it.] As soon as you realize what is happening, stop this hurtful process immediately. Turn to Me, asking Me to help you with all your struggles.” The Holy Spirit brings solution options to our minds when we reach out to God and tell Him what is going on that concerns us. I’m pretty sure He sometimes whispers to us even when we aren’t asking in order to help guide us off a path we shouldn’t step onto. I believe that’s why it came to mind to ask about the ADD meds.  Before, during, and after the asking we should, “Take time to praise [God]: Speak or sing words of worship. Read scriptures that help you rejoice in [Him].” 

Psalm 143:8 – “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

Streams – I debated between writing about decluttering and prayer today. The other day I had decided I wanted to be more intentional about my prayers rather than just being conversational with God, which I’d begun doing more because prayers had become more like wish lists for me (if I even stayed on track while praying).  Both prayer and conversations with God are important as is decluttering. It’s interesting how intertwined they became yesterday especially when I found my Church of the Highlands (COTH) “Pray First” wrist band as I cleaned out my bedside drawer. In his (COTH) sermon today, Pastor Mark referred to prayer quite a bit and he also said, “Real change comes from a re-ordered life.”  He wasn’t speaking about physical decluttering, but God uses sermons in many different ways for all who are listening.

Cowman seems to be leaning more to the prayer theme today basing it in part on Mark 11:24 – “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe.”  She writes, “When you are confronted with a matter that requires immediate prayer, pray until you believe God – until with wholehearted sincerity you can thank Him for the answer. If you do not see the external answer immediately, do not pray for it in such a way that it is evident you are not definitely believing God for it. This type of prayer will be a hindrance instead of a help to you.”  I think I’ve sort of done that with all of my creative endeavors to a certain extent. I haven’t wanted to embarrass God – as if that could happen– if I ask for and pursue something that He doesn’t have in His plans for me. I’ve tried to get better about praying, “Your will be done,” but I haven’t quite mastered gleaning whether He is saying “No” or “Wait”.  I do know that if I take a misstep, He does work all things out for good (Romans 8:28).

Cowman continues, “It may not be wrong to mention the matter to the Lord again, if He is keeping you waiting for His answer, but be sure to do so in a way that shows your faith…. You may tell Him you are waiting, still believing and therefore praising Him for the answer. There is nothing that so fully solidifies faith as being so sure of the answer that you can thank God for it.” She shares Christmas Evans thoughts on this, “Faith is not a sense, nor a sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His Word” and the thoughts of George Mueller, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”

I’ve had this thought, stirring around in my busy mind, about all the years of praying and asking God to help me declutter and get organized hoping (and even believing) that He could make me better at it, but I’m wondering if that was me wanting Him to make me capable in my own strength rather than looking to the resources He provides for help (which sometimes involves medicine that HE inspired people to create).  I suppose it could also involve me allowing others to help (which I did a few years ago when Carrie’s Christmas present was time with an organizer.)

Cowman concludes her thoughts writing, “You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us His promises in a quiet hour, seals our covenants with great and gracious words, and then steps back, waiting to see how much we believe. He then allows the Tempter to come, and the ensuing test seems to contradict all that He has spoken. This is when faith wins its crown. This is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened sailors declare, ‘I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me’ (Acts 27:25).”

I’m sure I’m not alone in experiencing times in small group gatherings when the conversation veers off topic or when one or more people talk more than others and the time to close sneaks up on everyone. I don’t think that’s necessarily bad. Sometimes sharing is just as important as the lesson for the day which is where I find myself at this point in today’s blog. I’m wondering if I should let the rest of the “group” share (and run over time) or end this here since I’m taking up quite a bit of time (and the page) with all of this.

I’ll do as Don does in his small group that meets strictly for an hour on Tuesday evenings because one of the men goes to bed early. The lesson is concluded on time, but the conversation continues for all who stick around (in person or via zoom). So, this is all for today, but I’ll open the floor and see if the others have anything to say about prayer and decluttering…….

Utmost – Chambers starts by sharing, “There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do.” Indeed! All of my creative endeavors again come to mind here. Why haven’t any of them gone past my front porch and led to a career or to at least blessing others? When I took a breath, Chambers continued, “When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait. [Does this apply to me jumping into the wine rep business in my efforts to contribute to our income?] The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification means; or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means.”

Ummm, the meaning, again, of sanctification is??  According to AI Google it means, “being set apart by God for a holy purpose, making someone holy, and transforming them to be more like Christ, a process involving initial declaration (positional) and ongoing growth (progressive) through the Holy Spirit and God’s word, ultimately leading to perfection in heaven.” Wow that was a lot of words.

Chambers advises, “Never run before God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt – don’t.” Ohmygosh, I have doubt quite often about so many things mainly because at times when I feel sure about something (like the wine rep thing), it doesn’t seem to work out so I wonder if I made the thing happen or if I was following Him and am just in a waiting period. Can you tell that the ADD meds are making me talkative? I’m sorry. I’m the one monopolizing the conversation today!

Chambers offers guidance, understanding, and comfort, “In the beginning you may see clearly what God’s will is – the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, something you feel distinctly  before God is His will for you to do, never do it on the impulse of that feeling.” Oh man, I do that all the time. I either jump in too fast in order to make something happen or I wait too long and it’s no longer an option (which is why I sometimes jump in too fast so I don’t miss a perceived opportunity!)  He tries to continue despite my interruptions, “If you do, you will end in making difficulties that will take years of time to put right. [True indeed] Wait for God’s time to bring it round and He will do it without any heartbreak or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.” Ok. I get it, but help me live it, Lord!

Power – Joyce shares her thoughts, “When what you are doing doesn’t give you joy anymore, that is a strong indication God is finished with whatever He was working through you to do.” I really enjoyed doing the first wine tasting for my boys, their girlfriends, and their friends. What I don’t like is sales which makes me want to abandon this plan. I like telling people about things but I don’t want to ask them to help me (by hosting a tasting) or buy anything. Joyce tries to continue, “Life is easy and full of joy when you depend on God and His leading. Pray for God to lead you to where He wants you to be – even if that means embracing change.”

Matthew 11:30 – “For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good – not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”

Prevail #4 – Larson takes her turn, “Out of the heart, the mouth speaks. When we’ve waited long to see a breakthrough or a fulfillment of a promise, our hearts grow faint. Unless we regularly take the time to strengthen ourselves in the Lord and remind ourselves of His faithfulness, unbelief and even offense will settle into our souls. In due time our own words, which reflect the condition of our hearts, will diminish our own faith…. Pay attention to how you talk about the longings of your heart. What do they reveal? Your faith is precious to Him. There are no time constraints on God’s ability to do what He will do. If He’s making you wait, it’s because He’s making you ready. May God bless you with a fresh and helpful expectancy today. May your words inspire hope and reflect your actively engaged faith!”

Larson’s prayer, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Help me remember the promises You’ve made to me…. Fan the flame of faith within me today. I choose to trust You. Amen.”

JC – Young, interpreting the Word and speaking as if God is speaking to us, writes, “I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, ‘I trust You, Jesus’ in response to whatever happens to you…. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.”

Sometimes the after lesson discussion gets quite personal. Hope I didn’t bore you with my ponderings.  If you stayed, I hope you got as much out of the others’ sharing as I did!