I would classify myself as a pretty good housekeeper. I enjoy a clean house and clutter stresses me out. There are times, naturally, when my house is cleaner than other times, and it usually isn't "picture perfect", but for the most part it is clean and clutter-free.
That is.....except for1 room (okay...so there's a "catch-all" corner in my bedroom too, but we won't talk about that). I think everyone has a room or a drawer or a counter that is THE "place" were things just naturally gather. Sometimes, it seems as if the clutter grows by magic! My "place" is my office/craft room. It seems that I can NEVER keep that room clean! Just 2 weeks ago I had it completely clean and everything in its place. Today, it looks as if a bomb went off! It the one room where I "drop" things thinking I will put them away later and "later" becomes a month or two "later". And, being that it is not only my office, but also my craft room, naturally I have a project or 2 laying around, and Olivia (the notorious mess-maker in our house) loves to "craft" too. Only....she doesn't enjoy cleaning UP after her crafting! The mess in this particular room really bothers me! Being that I work from home, it is the room where I spend the majority of my time. It would seem that since I spend so much time there, I would be able to keep a handle on the clutter!
Looking at the clutter this morning, I got to thinking about the "clutter" that oftentimes fills our hearts and minds. Those things that we need to "put away"; the bad memories from our past. The things that we need to "throw away"; the unforgiveness and bitterness that can creep in. The things we need to "give away" to Jesus; our hurts, cares, and concerns.
I think my heart is like my home.....usually clutter-free, but there is 1 "room" that is cluttered. From time-to-time I de-clutter that room in my heart, but it seems that the "clutter" of worry, frustration, hurt feelings, bad memories, etc. have a way of creeping back in. Instead of allowing that small room in my heart to remain cluttered, I need to make it a habit to daily give it to Jesus for as it says in Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." Jesus understands our weaknesses and He wants us to give these things to Him.
I plan to work on the clutter this week, not only in my office, but also in my heart.
