Clutter Update!

Well I continued to think about Nehemiah and his success. His plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem were successful ultimately because of God's favor towards him. The plan worked also because it included helpers. So I made a personal note of this interesting fact and decided to make a call to the willing hearts, the strong armed warriors, those individuals that would share themselves for a greater good. I am wonderfully surprised at the enthusiam of my husband, daughter, and 7 yr old son. They have stepped up to bat and literally removed the bat and all its accessories from the garage. Hallelujah!!! Thank YA!


I have also appealed to the masses...taken it to the streets. So my neighbor has gone the extra mile. Upon receiving my plea for help she came over and personally carried the pool ladder you see pictured in the previous blog, over to her own storage area in her backyard. She also opened up her storage area to house my pool, wheelbarrow, Christmas tree, lawnmower, other lawn equipment, bicycles...should I keep going with this list? She gave me an extra waste can since I was able to toss some things while the kids were looking elsewhere. What an angel!!!

Lots of Clutter

I finally bit the bullet, forced a smile, and entered the danger zone...my garage. Much to my dismay it has gotten WAY out of hand and unorganized. Over the past 2 years I have thrown STUFF in there and walked away quickly with my eyes closed. I guess if I didn't look at it directly, it wouldn't affect me. Was I ever wrong! It has come back to haunt me at the worst possible time. My daughter has her 16th birthday party on the heels of Thanksgiving and guess where the teens will gather? Yep, our garage. And what's worse is the fact that it was MY suggestion they have it in there to cut down on party expenses...What in the world was I thinking?! I knew the minute it was out of my mouth there would be one person cleaning up that horrible mess and it wouldn't be my daughter, or my husband, or my 3 yr old, or my 7 yr old. I won't even take the baby in there at all. I'm the type person that will throw it all away no matter about sentiment if its not being used or hasn't been used in a while. So I was thinking all I needed was a construction bin for everything, toss it all in and WAA LA, all would be done...time to decorate. But then my husband comes into the picture. It seems that he has some things in that garage that he would like to keep. Also one by one each child has voiced their preference of things they desire to hold onto. My plan has been aborted. I won't be needing the construction bin or even extra waste cans. The one lone black can from the city will do fine.

Well, being the thinker that I am I have decided the CLEAN look will do fine for decor. My daughter doesn't share the same vision of course but I can see how simply clean can be sooo appealing. Just as I was about to put my mommy authority to work, you know the Lord would have to speak. He always gets me right when it counts! Mouth shut, ears attentive, heart apprehensive, expecting to hear great encouragement, and He says..."Just who's party is this anyway? Is it yours? Wasn't it your idea to make it something special for Amber? Why are you so agitated about removing the clutter? Don't you know its going to make things much better? And a little time of decorating is going to prove to be worth it for your daughter."
Yes, I pouted. Then I put my lip back in, took a deep breath and went back to work. Hey I wonder if Nehemiah ever had a day like this when he was working on the wall. He always seemed to have it together. I mean this guy had a PLAN and made things happen. I could use him about now. Oh God, send me some Nehemiah's!!!

I figure as I lose myself in the work (or the clutter at this point) maybe the Lord will speak again and we'll have a better conversation this time. It seems that I have some inside clutter He is dealing with while I'm working on the obvious. Isn't it like the Lord to use something as simple as cleaning my garage to stress the need for de-cluttering my heart? Wonder how He will want me to decorate in there... probably add some fruit.

Questions?

I was listening to a radio broadcast yesterday when this precious lady called in to ask about her deceased son. It seems he had given his life to the Lord after living wildly for years. A few months following his conversion to Christianity, at the age of 33, he committed suicide by drug overdose. This lady was devastated of course. Her simple question was this: Where is my son now? Did he go to Heaven after taking his life? Well I personally held my breath for a moment, wondering what these counselors would say in response to this question. Only wisdom followed and it flowed over the airwaves like the breath of the Lord Himself. I could just see in my mind's eye the freedom coming to this lady that had been so confused and heartbroken. It was an amazing few minutes and transforming for sure. Such a simple explanation came...Yes, they felt this man went to Heaven was their answer. The counselor went on to state the taking of his own life was very similar to being in bondage of other addictions, and none of those things negate the fact that we have asked Jesus Christ to come into our heart, forgive us of sins, and live in us forever.

I thought about their response all afternoon. It hit home to me. I had that very same question when my uncle died of overdose while claiming his Christianity. And it had left me confused as well. But to take it a step further are the answers to questions like...Can I extend forgiveness openly to someone that is not ready to receive it? Can my new marriage be blessed since I was aware of what Scripture says about divorce? Am I really a Christian if I'm still addicted to drugs? Am I saved if I can't stop myself from doing things I know are wrong? The answer my friend is YES, YES, YES, YES! Listen carefully, if you have asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of sin and live in your heart, your salvation does not become ineffective or invalid just because your problems don't immediately disappear. Its your victorious life that is denied its proper health. Stop wondering if you're really saved! Start surrendering to Christ these issues that nullify your victory. Please realize God placed people in positions of Counsel, Psychiatry, Drug Abuse Centers, and many other areas where help is needed in making The Lord's Voice the one you hear the loudest. So don't be afraid to ask for help.

I was once told you can't extend forgiveness to someone that's hurt you if they are not willing to accept it from you. Sadly I believed this to be truth. Later experience has proven to me the myth in that statement. I personally wrestled with a situation for a long time and not finding closure left me with too many questions and unrest. I prayed and prayed but still unrest. One day while out shopping our paths crossed and there we stood. I knew it was time to settle the unrest in my heart. So I extended the forgiveness right there in WalMart. Suddenly the tears began to flow from their eyes. I realize that might not be the scene that accompanies your situation because we all have different issues and oftentimes very stubborn people involved. But I do know extending forgiveness is a good idea. It not only closed the chapter for me; it shut the book on that situation.

We make mistakes. And we have to pay the costs from those mistakes but do we have to pay a forever price? No, we don't. God's mercies are new every morning and His love endures forever! You can get past where you are. And God will bless you my friend. He longs to give you rest and peace from every issue that tries to destroy your victory. My prayer is that you will see yourself in the light of God's Word and realize victory is worth the fight. I want to see you free!