My back is aching and my legs are wobbly…but I’m so encouraged. I’ve just completed a total cleaning and organizing overhaul on both of the older boys’ rooms. With two in each room, both bedrooms had become a disastrous explosion of minute lego pieces, wadded up socks, precious scribbled drawings (times 20!), and lots and lots of books that never seem to return to their shelves. Try as I might to train, I simply do not keep up with keeping my kids’ rooms tidy.
After working around the clock for several days straight (it takes a lot longer with a napping infant and mischievous 3 yr. old in tow…), the boys and I climbed out of the mayhem to a fresh, clean, and extremely organized room.
“We’ll never let it get messy again,” they assured me.
I smiled, knowingly: “Boys, the key is not to never let it get messy, but to train yourself to work at it a little each day.”
Isn’t that the way it is with spiritual discipline as well? No, it’s not that we have any part in “cleaning” ourselves up; rather, it’s a matter of weeding out the junk and decluttering the spiritual man day by day.
I was thinking on this today, as I tucked the boys in to their spotless beds and clean rooms. I remembered my encouragement for them to tend to their rooms daily, rather than wait until they could no longer enjoy, use, or find anything in their own rooms. It was misery that drove them to the huge task of organizing everything from the inside out; it is for joy that they will seek to keep it that way.
And so it is with our hearts. Do you find that you wait until you are completely miserable and despairing before you run to the Word of God, and hide it in your heart? Do you find yourself thinking, “If I only had more discipline daily, I wouldn’t have these major meltdowns!” I’ve been there too at times. Whether you are a member of the 5:45 Club, or if you squeeze it in at your children’s naptime– may I encourage you to tend to your garden through the pruning of God’s Word? We make time for what’s important to us. The blessing and reward of spiritual progress is worth pursuing. As is joy.
A little each day. Driven by joy, not just reacting to misery. His Word provides both fuel and healing. Avail yourself of both–day by day, starting today. Be blessed!
**If you do not already have a Scripture reading plan, here are a few resources that may help:
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Such a great reminder! I love the parallel you made to misery and joy. I’ve made my intention this year to wake early and have quiet time. It’s difficult, but I’m finding it is so worth it.
It is like you say–difficult, but so worth it!
beautiful reminder…I think many of us are in the midst of decluttering our homes and it serves as a great reminder to also declutter our lives of distractions that tear us from what is really important.
I LOVE this, b/c I don’t wait, I feel like I am on my knees every hour, so consumed in wanting the Light of Christ that sometimes I think I need to take a step back, so that is why I did a lot of listening in 2011… . .My heart couldn’t handle the pace as to what I was seeking growth….I actually told the Lord it was too much for me to handle, so He told me to quiet down, and just listen more instead for a season, and He was right, b/c I was still growing but He showed me things SO huge (like one in my post yesterday), that I wouldn’t have heard if I had been still talking to Him…
Have you ever read the book WITH OPEN HANDS by Henri Nouwen? This is book is exactly (well close) to what you are talking about here!!! That book needs to be on everyone’s nightstand…
Thanks Ruth, and I’m glad you got some gooooooood cleaning and organizing done, that always feels good!!!
What a timely reminder, yet again. I just came home from meeting with a mama-friend down the street and we were lamenting over our ‘meltdowns’ that come in many forms and as a result of various circumstances, but truly from the waiting-till-we’re-miserable-instead-of-tending-daily thing you speak of here. Thanks for the parallel and challenging words. God is doing a great work in us both it seems. And that makes me want to praise Him today, seek Him for that joy only He can provide. SO much better than waiting till I’m miserable!