Don't look in the cupboards!

My surface tablet decided to take this photo of my messy desk all by itself! (Well, my wayward finger might have had something to do with it!) but it is in keeping with my thoughts for the day, in a messy roundabout sort of way.

I don't know about you, but when people visit my home it usually means there has been a frantic flurry of tidying activity on my part, papers, books, crayons, gelli plates (?) etc gathered up and thrown into cupboards and drawers, notice the emphasis on crafting bits and bobs! Throw into the mix a hasty stint at the sink washing up and a gathering up of clothes for washing from Ben's bedroom. You get the picture.

The visitors arrive and say how welcoming and lovely your home is and you can't help yourself, you blurt out, "Thank you, but don't open the cupboards, anything might fall out!"
Now at this juncture I must just say that since our well documented move to our new home six months ago this frantic tidy up is not nearly so frantic, chaotic, or even necessary! all that decluttering really has made a difference to our home and our lives.

The washing is gently placed in the dishwasher, the cushions on the sofa plumped up and we're pretty much good to go. Crafting and  journaling stuff can stay out if that was what we were doing prior to the visit and we're even totally happy to receive unexpected visitors without being wracked with shame at the state of our home. it feels good.

This got me thinking, last night when I should have been sleeping! This tendency to shove the clutter away in a cupboard, shutting the door firmly and hoping no one opens it, letting it all spill out is  I fear what some of us (me definitely) at some time do with our emotions and our faith. We show the world our hastily tidied, external appearance, smiling, saying all the right things when behind the closed doors of our hearts the clutter of pain, fear, doubt, anger, bitterness, resentment is straining to be released.

Now, I am not for one minute suggesting we all go around broadcasting every detail of our inward struggles and battles (visitors please don't worry, I won't unleash the cupboards) but, there is a time and a place when a spiritual and or emotional declutter is necessary even essential. A time when we make the decision to face up to those things that we prefer to keep buried. Sharing with a trusted friend(s) who can help you bring it to the Lord is perfect but there will be some for whom the wounds from the past are so deep they need the help  of a professional counsellor or even doctor. Prayer is obviously our greatest weapon and tool for healing, recovery and hope for  the future, we are blessed that we can ask for prayer without even needing to go into specifics , we have the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and words to respond, and we have Jesus Christ Himself as our intercessor.

I can honestly say that the effects of decluttering practically and spiritually and emotionally are freeing, uplifting, and liberating. It costs; it hurts, it challenges and it drags us out of our comfort zones and our protective shells but it is worth it. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

So, the next time you have visitors, throw open the doors of your cupboards (just provide protective helmets if there are any sharp or heavy objects that might fall!)