Make Room
Cues song" Feels like summerrrr" by Childish Gambino. I like that song. It's catchy and fun!
Happy Summer Solstice to you all. It has felt like summer with the nation's heat wave over the last month, but today is the official first day of summer. I remember summers growing up. My generation was OUTSIDE from morning until evening. You're coming back in when the street lights are on. My mom had summers off, so she kicked us out of the house early for her peace and quiet- we'd walk to the library and the park, ride bikes, go to VBS and festivals, and the fair, all of that. Wow, what a time. It's one of the things where you just had to be there. Okay, okay, okay, this isn't about memory lane. Even though it feels good to reminisce, this is about clutter.
Yes, clutter.
Some clutter in our lives affects how we transition into new seasons and welcome the opportunity to grow. It is hard to welcome in more when you're weighed down with clutter—a cluttered mind, a cluttered environment, and a cluttered routine. Not realizing they all hold energy, we trap ourselves in situations and environments we've outgrown. Sir Isaac Newton said, "Energy is not lost or destroyed; it is merely transferred from one party to the next." Can we improve emotionally?"
Yes, yes, we can, Mr. Newton.
A good girlfriend from out of state visited me a couple of years ago, and she came over to my house. She said, "Wow, I love what you've done with the place. It's beautiful. It's crazy, though. It almost feels like Deja vu - like I've been here before". We laughed, and I pointed out some things I still have from Arizona, where she frequently visited me, but that was it. We went on about our day. Today, that conversation popped up in my head- and this thought behind it - Have you gotten rid of the old- the things you've evolved past, or are you still hanging on. Are you making room for new?
Sometimes, we keep things because of the memory we have that's attached to it. We keep things past their expiration date to remind us of THAT fantastic time or "when they were nice or when things were good." If you know, you know. But if we're honest, we know that the thing we're holding on to has served its purpose, and it's time to let it go. When we hold on too long, we take the heart posture of fear. You're telling God that you don't believe in Jeremiah 29:11 or Psalms 119:105 or Exodus 16:25. You don't trust that he has a plan for you or that he'll light up your path forward or that he'll do the impossible for you and send blessings from heaven. Let's let go of that heart posture. It no longer serves us- because God's word is true, and he's a promise keeper. He will do just what he said.
God is faithful.
It's time to usher in a new wind. Yes, it is essential to always remember how far we've come. But we mustn't get stuck there. Think of the Children of Israel and many others. They would mark the places that God brought them out of. Often, they would do it with stones. Stones of remembrance were erected, people prayed and worshiped God there, and then they moved on to their next place. Not one story in the word of God says they stayed and admired the stones day in and day out, and that's where their journey ended, and they died remembering.
We must learn to set up stones of remembrance, but we don't have to be stuck staring at them. We're allowed to move forward.
I'm not saying you shouldn't take time to grieve if that's the season you're in —over the last four years, our world has been through a lot. Take the time to grieve "the way" you thought things should happen so God can show you how it will happen. His ways are better than ours! Trust that.
I'm also not saying to throw away every old thing you own and buy new everything but remember that items hold energy, too. And if your space is cluttered, then in most cases, so will your mind. We don't emphasize our environment much when discussing transitioning, opportunities, or evolution. And we're crying out to God for something new. But it plays a part. Because the soil where our seed is planted has everything to do with its growth. Remember, we're all planting seeds with our daily actions- when it's harvest time, what fruit will we see? (Luke 6:43).
The scripture says to let go of the former things and press toward things of the future, and that's one of my encouragements to you today. There are so many beautiful beginnings waiting for all of us, but there is no room for them. Make room.
I have always admired one of my best friends, who decorates every new season and holiday. It brings her so much joy, and I love it. It's small things: a lemon pillow for the summer, lighter-colored blankets, pumpkins, cozy candles for the fall, and darker-colored accessories. As small as the changes were, they made a significant impact—her actions said, "Hello, new season. I am welcoming you, I am present in this season, I AM honoring it with change, and I am doing my part" and that's all I encourage us to do today- do your part.
Honor the seasons were in and make room for the new. It takes courage, heart, and bravery, but it's worth it.
Beautiful endings and beginnings want to come your way. Will you make room for it?
