Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father.
Today Lord, I spent much of my morning “cleaning house” at my shop. We actually moved into these new offices over a year ago, but it was a rushed move and in the haste to meet contractual deadlines we ended up doing a poor job of sorting and packing equipment, tools, paperwork and such. The result of which was that anything that we didn’t need right that moment was tossed into boxes somewhat randomly, and then stuck on shelves in the new space. Well, today the lack of being able to find a part that I knew I had got the better of me, and I started tearing through boxes; sorting, tossing things out and beginning to put some order to the chaos. It was truly amazing what we had shoved aside, and in the end I even found the item I was looking for. There’s still a lot more to go through, but every journey has to start somewhere.
Hmmm… Where have I heard that before?
At some point during my morning of discovery, I realized that maybe I needed to go through a similar process in my spiritual life. There are lots of “boxes of stuff” I’ve built up inside of me over the years that I’ve hurriedly shoved aside while running from one situation to the next. I’ve opened some of them and put them in their places, but there are many others that still lie on my emotional shelves gathering dust. I think we all hold on to some “baggage” like that as we go through life; containers filled with past guilt, remorse, longing and sadness that we file away with the intention to deal with them at a later date.
Well Lord, I’m tired of tripping over them.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
I’ve given myself completely to You Father, so these storehouses of pent-up burdens need to go… We need the room for the two of us to build a new “living space” together.
Heavenly Father, I place the dusty baggage of my soul in Your Loving Hands. I’ve learned what I can from it, and now need to focus on Your New Life in me. I pray that the new, cleaner house we build together will be deemed ready to reside in Your Kingdom. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
Oh this is great Phil! I love “we need the room for the two of us to build a new living space together.” We do box up spiritual stuff and shove it around. We need to continually clean house. Thank you for this.
Thank you Jenifer… It was a powerful analogy for me, so I really enjoyed putting it in writing. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Love it! We could all use a good ‘spring’ spiritual cleaning up. I know I sure can. I need to remember that His mercies are new to me EVERYmorning not just once! Happy cleaning!
Thank you Allison… I think we all can now and again. We are made new in Him each day!
Have a Blessed Day!
love this Phil. Divine decluttering. You have given me food for thought. What am I tired of tripping over and over again in my spiritual life? mmmm, will ponder that.!
Divine decluttering… Love that one Jean! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Nice. My husband gave me good advice when we were first met and we were dating. I said to him, “I’m sorry that I come with so much baggage.” He responded, “What do you mean? It’s only baggage if you carry it around.”
I love that. God’s grace gives us the opportunity to never pick up those old boxes again! Thanks, Phil.
It sounds like your husband is a wise man Eileen… I love that! Thank you for sharing it with me. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Ha, I love what Eileen said above and you’re so right Phil, we carry it around and all it does is get in the way of what He has for us. I have some of my very own “boxes of stuff” and they’re getting on my nerves too 🙂 great post!
I did too Heidi! Little by little, He and I are freeing up “living space”… 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Im tired of stumbling over my spiritual clutter too! What an awesome realization God placed on your heart! Getting out the trash to make room for the treasure!
It really was a powerful inspiration for me Kelli. Thank you!
Have a Blessed Day!