For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Unsplash photo by Brian Suman
Every year I enjoy watching the classic movie “Holiday Affair.” It’s about a young boy who secretly wants a train, a single mom’s desire to raise her child, a professional man that wants to get married and a man who’s a store clerk that wants to live his best life on the coast building boats. Well, any-who-how, the most memorable line in the movie was and is “Anything can change a life, even a toy train.” Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, give the individuals that have strong desires to change the will to change. Amen
It’s bad when you find what you need when clearing clutter! The other day I found an outdoor grill still in the box tucked away on a shelf. I gave thanks to the Universe for missing out on buying a rickety grill that was new and had rusty grates. The missed opportunity saved me $50! WooHoo! And, for now, the primary use for the grill is to burn paperwork! As I’m scanning, uploading documents to disks. My current paper shredder can’t handle the load, therefore, I’m going back to the days of old! I won’t be using a metal discarded oil can but a charcoal burning grill will do the same job! So! Let us thank God for unanswered prayers!
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for seeing all and knowing all to meet all our needs. Amen
I arrived at a beautiful home that had tattered window treatment. I have at least 5 faux window blinds that I’ll never use. In a nutshell, they do not fit my windows. So! I immediately offered them to the person I was visiting with no strings attached! I guess I’ve always been a “no strings attached” giver. Why? Usually, when I’m given something “FREE” the whatever comes with a hidden tag and a price that is always too high for me to pay. As a result, I have spent days, weeks, months and sometimes years paying for something that isn’t worth its prior owner’s ‘free’ cost. Therefore, I usually don’t take gifts from others and made a vow to always give ‘with no strings attached.’ Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, heal the wounds of those that were hurt from receiving gifts that had hidden costs. Amen
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2
Photo by A. A. Harrison
I live in Colorado and today I’ve come to realize our foothills are considered mountains in other states. And the same can be applied to clutter and or problems. My hardest struggles might be solved easily by someone else and vice versa. And! During my clutter removing journey I’m having to remind myself daily about celebrating small victories. Doing so is part of self love because loving myself has been one of the hardest things in life. Yet, many of my friends have perfected self love and I admire them for their abilities; mainly, because God wants us to love everyone including ourselves. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, hold our hands as we learn to love ourselves and others, including our enemies. Amen
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Unsplash photo by Duncan Kidd
OMG! I don’t even know how to write what happened yesterday into a short paragraph. But! I’ll start and end today’s post with the making of breakfast sandwiches.
I’m always watching homesteaders on YouTube. And lately I’ve been watching Acer Homestead/Scratch Pantry. I noticed I’ve become a sideline commentator as I get older. Well, Ms. Becky pre-makes meals! I thought I would do the same. I loved her idea of making breakfast sandwiches with sausage, egg, cheese and croissants and freezing them for later. The thought of having breakfast made in nanoseconds as I’m on this journey of removing clutter sounded great until . . . I tried to make them!
The moment ended up with me extremely tired, yelling at my husband for wanting a simple cup of coffee as I felt defeated. Who knew making 12 breakfast sandwiches would cast a cloud of uncertainty. But! They did! And I really felt bad about screaming at my husband. He relies on me to do most everything since walking is painful for him. He needs a hip replacement and his surgery is scheduled at the end of October. He accepted my sincere apology as we found humor in my adventure.
LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes defeat plays a major part in accumulating clutter because after I made those sandwiches I had no energy to clean, to organize and decide the fate of unwanted items. So! Let’s pray!
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for another day to get things right. Amen
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will received, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24
Yesterday, I had to remove mental clutter to regain focus on clearing my home of things not needed and or wanted. So! My husband, my son, my baby daddy and I took a trip to one of my favorite stores! Menards! And as usual I got lost in the joy of being there. The field trip reminded me home is where the heart should be and joy should always be abound. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, give my home and all who live within it your unquestionable joy. Amen
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Proverbs 14:29
Yesterday was overflow/large item trash day. It was a day much anticipated. I could finally get rid of the 4 x 4’s post that had rotted and removed from a raised strawberry-bed. To my dismay, the city workers left them neatly stacked as I’d place them at the curb. So, sometime later I called 311. I told the city worker they forgot to pick up the rotted posts and could they come back. She said, “I’m sorry. We don’t pick those up. They are considered part of construction material.” I replied, “they were removed from my garden.” She said, “I understand but they are considered construction material.” After the soft blow of disappointment hit me like a ten ton brick I sat there bewildered. I didn’t want to drag those things to the backyard. Let alone figure out how to dispose of them. It was clear I needed to quickly get my emotions in check because the situation wasn’t that serious. And it was then when I realized I would just pull out my miter saw, cut the posts into smaller pieces and throw them away in the weekly trash bin. Now! There I fixed the problem! As I notice when we don’t become distraught over things, solutions are plentiful.
PRAYER
Father God, keep us in your perfect peace at all times. Amen
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 NIV
Yesterday, I learned that sometimes we keep things out of guilt even if we do not have space available for that thing and or associated feelings. As a result, we put ourselves in all sorts of uncomfortable positions because we do not want to hurt others. And, honestly, it’s hard to apply appropriate decorum to gifts and situations when the fear of hurting someone is present. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, give us your wisdom on how to handle matters that tug at the heart. Amen
I’m on a roll! Yesterday, I forced myself to get going! I had a date with destiny! I took those men’s shoes and Southpole sporting vests to the Denver Rescue Mission. The guy that took the items was amazed that I was donating new items. I explained to him that I felt God wanted me to give them to people less fortunate than myself. Then he quoted Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Father God, prepare our hearts for the goodness of the Lord. Amen
Black Women Have It Going On 