“Nature abhors a vacuum.”
Nothing can prove this scientific fact better than the flat surface of my kitchen table.
Every weekend, I clear off the old mail, sales flyers, and the random items dropped there during the week. The clean space looks great! I promise myself that I’m not going to trash it during the week.
Yeah. Right.
The next Saturday, there I am, de-cluttering, while de-muttering to myself under my breath. “How did I let this happen again?”
Same thing at my daughter’s house. She donated the family computer desk, which had a home in their living room. Gazing at the new space with delight, she mulled over the options. I heard about a ‘reading corner’, a table for coloring and a shelf for art projects.
Not one or the other, mind you. All of them. Shoved into the space created by the absence of the desk.
She eventually rearranged the furniture, and now has a really fun art center and table for her daughter.
It’s a universal desire. Confronted by wide-open space, we dream of ways to fill it. And that’s ok, as long as your kitchen table doesn’t start looking like the dollar bin at Target.
There is a similar situation in my spiritual life.
I know that I have bad habits that keep me from praying as often as I would like.
I’ll promise to dedicate a half an hour twice a day. Ok. I can do this. So I carve out the time, and that’s where the trouble starts.
Confronted by a half hour of cleared time, sometimes my prayer plans get tossed out the window. Instead, “Wow!” I can read the paper, plan dinner, make a phone call, take a shower and make that grocery run.
Not one or the other, mind you. All of them. Shoved into the space created for prayer.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man…it then goes off and brings seven other spirits…and they go in and the man ends up being worse than he was before.” Luke 11:24-26
This passage is taking on a new clarity for me. Creating time in my day for prayer, or even quitting a bad habit, makes a place in my soul that is “swept and tidied.”
Like nature, distractions are crouching at the starting line, waiting for the race to fill the space just created. The goal is to win a spot in the tidied corner of my soul, dragging six other troublemakers with it. If I don’t fill the space with the prayer I had planned, I’m going to have some king-sized confusion.
Making a clutter-free zone is important. But the next step is crucial. It’s not enough to make the space. I’ve got to fill it with the choices that keep me on track.
If I don’t, I know about seven other distractions who want ‘in’. They think I’m going to give up without a fight?
Yeah. Right.
Linking today with: Coffee for Your Heart @ holleygerth.com
Come on over and visit me on my Facebook page. I think you’ll ‘like’ it!
I can SO relate to this when it comes to the spiritual, Ceil. I recently set up a “master calender” for myself…filling in the hours of the day with specific things to do. I start out with a couple of hours at the beginning of the day shortly after I get the hubs off to work…just to spend that time with the Lord…using a devotional, Bible reading plan and my prayer journal. Exercise was another thing I kept putting off…and my body needs that moving around. It went on the calender and all of a sudden there is time for exercise! I know there will be battles some days…may the Lord find me faithful.
Hi Diana! Sounds like you have tidied your corner and filled it with good things! That’s wonderful. It really sounds like December was a grace for you, and that your time away helped you prioritize.
I need to get moving too! I’m going to PT for my shoulders for the first time today, but after that, I need to get back to the gym. I want 2014 to be the year I get in shape. Like you, I want that calendar to pop open with time! I know the Lord will help me.
You never cease to inspire me Diana. I’m so happy we are connected.
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
“Creating time in my day for prayer, or even quitting a bad habit, makes a place in my soul that is “swept and tidied.”’ I love that, “…swept and tidied.” I had never thought of it that way before, Ceil. Thank you for listening to the Lord to write this because I needed it. Your posts are a refreshment to my heart and soul.
Thinking of you, friend, and trusting you’re having a great week. Hugs to you!
Hi Stephanie! I’m so glad you liked what you read here today. It gets hard to ‘clean out the clutter’ the older I get. Seems like I get attached to things, even if they are not so great for me. But it’s worth the time and effort to throw out the stuff that doesn’t get me closer to him.
You have been busy my friend! Hope your shop is doing well? Thank you for taking the time to come over and visit, and comment too. I love hearing from you
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
I cleaned out our entry closet today and cleared a spot on a shelf. I told my daughter it was a vacuum and would fill right up.
I like the application of that to our spiritual lives.
Hi Mari! Oh, that’s funny! Isn’t it so true that the more space we have, the more we junk it up?
I never really thought about the connection between that passage and my kitchen table before, but it makes a lot of sense. I was happy for the insight because that Scripture has always been a bit of a puzzle to me.
Good to see you! Have a wonderful day Mari
Ceil
Oh this is good Ceil! So true my friend, if we don’t purposefully fill our lives with time for Him, it will get filled with something! It’s a matter of consistency. We can easily get distracted by this thing called life. It’s up to us not to get distracted. If we’re consistent with a certain time and place to fellowship with Him, it’s easier to do. But oh, just the mere nudging of the Holy Spirit when we know we’ve missed it, is enough to melt my heart, stop me in my tracks, as I fall to my knees in total awe of the fact that He still loves me despite me falling short! Thanks for the reminder my friend! Blessings!
Hi Michell! Thank you for your kind comments on the post today, I really appreciate it!
It is a matter of consistency, and a will to overcome laziness for me. I don’t even want to tell you how many times I hit the snooze bar today.
It’s so great that you are so in-tune with the Holy Spirit and listen to his promptings. What good friends you are! That’s the kind of relationship I would like. You have inspired me this morning, thank you!
Blessings right back to you, and keep inspiring us!
Ceil
Great way to look at this situation. The one needed thing given up is filled with 7 “other” . Not really thought of it like that before.
Hi Monica! Thank you for your encouragement. I never really thought about it this way before either. As I was telling Mari, this Scripture always puzzled me. How could cleaning up your soul get you into trouble?
But I sure can see it now. Nothing like a junked up kitchen table (again) to show me how much I love to fill empty spaces with meaningless things.
Thank you for your visit! Have a wonderful day my friend,
Ceil
Ceil, I can certainly relate, friend. That’s why I gave up on making a New Year’s resolution…was tired of not sticking with it and disappointing myself. My dining room table is the “catch all” at my house. And about that prayer thing…I have made similar declarations too. I have found that I do so much better when I just say short prayers throughout the day….at work, when I’m in my car, at the grocery store…at home even when I am “preoccupied” in those ‘certain’ rooms of the house… whenever the person or situation enters my mind. I am so glad that God isn’t so much concerned out the posture we are in when we call on Him, aren’t you?
Have a awesome day!
Hi Debby! Wonderful point about prayer. I don’t think God cares about what position we are in either. I haven’t been able to kneel for several years now. I miss it, but I know that God doesn’t care. He just wants to hear from me.
Your idea about New Years resolutions makes a lot of sense. I suppose they really do set many up for failure. I do want this year to be my year of getting healthy though. Small decisions all along the way. I think I’ll get there that way. Hope so!
I didn’t even discuss my dining room table. Right now it looks pretty good…but I don’t think it’s going to last
Have an awesome day too!
Ceil
Ain’t that the truth. If we don’t choose what we want to fill that space with and follow through on that choice, we’re right back where we started from. The choosing’s the easy part, isn’t it, my friend. It’s the follow up and the follow through that really trips us up …
Hi Linda! I know you must be very familiar with this theme through your work. Making the space is one choice, but it means I have to make another one. And fast! Or the choice will be made for me.
I’ll keep trying though. Little steps by little steps. Both in housework and getting in shape this year. I want to succeed, and keep those pesky troublemakers out!
Hope you have a great Wednesday my friend
Ceil
hmm..I have the same issues. Let’s blame the dog, yeah, the dog. (rolling laughter)
Hi Linda! You blame your dog, I don’t have one. I do have fish. Who knows what they are doing at night…it could happen, right?
Keep laughing today! You gave me a smile
Ceil
I can relate to this! There are so many points of self discipline that I need to improve on – both physically and spiritually. I like your advice about creating a clutter-free zone and filling it with choices that keep us on track.
I plan to go check out your facebook page…
Hi SS! Oh, thank you for checking out my Facebook page. I would love for you to join me there! Thank you for your interest. It’s such a fun way to keep in touch.
I am also slipping in my resolve for self-discipline. But I’ll never stop trying and I think that goes a long way with our Father. I really want this to be the year of health for me. Of course, I am now in PT for shoulder problems, but at least I’m addressing it!
I’m glad you could relate to the post today. I know I do
Thank you again for visiting me on FB!
Ceil
“It’s not enough to make the space. I’ve got to fill it with the choices that keep me on track.”
I’ve been convicted of this very thing lately so your post really hit home. Lots of wisdom here, Ceil. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Blessings!
Hi Angel! I’m really glad you could relate to the post. I’m not the only one then, which makes me feel better. We’ll work on de-cluttering this year, right?
I really want to make better choices, and it sounds like you do too. Great! Maybe our ‘un-word’ of the year should be ‘clutter.’ I saw on several blogs that people are choosing a word that represents what they want gone this year. Clutter is a good one for me, both physically and spiritually!
Thanks for visiting Angel. Good to see you!
Ceil
Morning Ceil, I love the washing of His Word in my life! But as the kitchen table and counter has become a drop spot, Oh MY!! I have always asked the Lord to help me carve out time for certain things that I have needed in my life. Mornings with Him has worked well now that my children have grown and I no longer homeschool. But you are so right, as soon as we get a bit of free space or time we seem to just fill it with the next thing.
Good Post Ceil! Blessings, Roxy
Hi Roxy! I think having those tables and counters as ‘drop spots’ is a recurring theme. We are not alone!
Maybe you said you homeschooled before, but I didn’t know that. Your mornings would have been very busy then! I like mornings to pray too. I usually get my coffee and sit in the recliner in the family room. I do love that time just for God and me. I think he loves it too, as he loves being with you
Thank you for your kind words about the post Roxy. I appreciate your encouragement.
Have a good evening and blessed night,
Ceil
Gosh! This is sometimes the story of my life…but in other areas of my life. Great post, Ceil! Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Hi Patty! Thank you for your supportive comment Patty. I’m so glad that you liked what you read. It is totally the story of my life, as I sneak a peek over to my kitchen table. Hmm. Yesterdays mail, pasta box waiting to be used for dinner…sigh.
But it’s the prayer thing I really want to get ironed out. Debby said that she prays along through the day, and that’s a great option too. I know just wanting to do better makes Our Father happy. Phew!
Have a great evening my friend. Sleep well.
Ceil
What a wonderful post Ceil!
Working as an executive secretary for years I had learned to be very well organized. For the past 4yrs I have been without a job and am staying at home… I am not as organized as I used to be. I fail in my times of prayer too, but for a couple of months now, what I do is when I get up in the morning and have my first cup of coffee, I sit at the kitchen table with my Bible, my journal and I start talking to Him as if He is sitting opposite me… It has helped me so much starting my day off with Him… Blessings and love, Natasha
Hi Natasha! Yay! Thank you for coming on over to visit! I am always so happy to meet new blog-friends/twitter buddies
I just read a quote from a saint who said that your way of praying is the best. To talk to the Lord like he is present with you…and that he is your best friend. The Holy Spirit must have been whispering to you my friend. And you heard and acted, which is so great.
I am looking forward to getting to know you better! Have a great evening.
Ceil
You are so right! Great reminder.
May God bless you in a special way today, Lisa :O)
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your supportive comment, and your prayer for me. You are a very special person, and I’m so glad that our paths have crossed.
God has blessed me today. I started physical therapy on my shoulders, and I just know it’s going to help. I can’t wait to be able to have some more range of motion
Thank you for your visit and your gift of blog-friendship. Have a good evening, and I pray you will sleep well.
Ceil
Oh this is so true, Ceil. I could relate to your post! (As usual!) I used to be very good about praying regularly but lately have found myself distracted and at times neglectful though I have been trying to remedy this. Great post!
It’s weird how kitchen tables collect clutter like that, isn’t it? Same thing happens to mine!
Hi Mary! Did you win that Sheen award yet??
Oh my, the level surfaces of my house are destined for being covered, but none worst than the tables. It’s a race to see which is worse, my kitchen, or the dining room table. I have to say I live with clutter.
I blame this on my young life in a house with eight children, and a busy Mom. I actually like a little clutter here and there (I did a blog post on it) because it speaks of life in a home. But…not my mess right now! It speaks of a lazy person.
We’ll work on a better structure in prayer together, ok? I know we’ll get there, because Jesus is in our corner. How can we lose?
Have a great evening my friend!
Ceil
I love your analogy. It’s SO true. I’ve found one thing that keeps the distractions at bay is to play praise and worship music quietly in the background during my quiet times. It helps me stay focused and, perhaps, those “seven other distractions” don’t like the Name of Jesus
I still have to remain diligently determined, but the music definitely helps.
Hi Nan! Oh, thank you for your lovely comment about the post today. I really appreciate your words.
I should try that music idea. I love it too, and it would be a great background. Yes! Those pesky troublemakers do run at the name of Jesus, no question. We are so blessed with the love of our lives, aren’t we?
Thanks for your visit today! Have a wonderful evening
Ceil
Ceil, this is a great way to bring home the truth of using our time wisely. It’s a never ending battle for me since my mind is diverted all to easily due to a learning disability. But God has given me some great ways to help in this area. Of course I wish I had it nailed down all the time, thankful for grace when I fail.
Hi Betty! Please don’t think I have a handle on it either. If I peek at my kitchen table, it will prove me lacking…and it’s only Wednesday!
How can we do anything without grace, that’s what I’d like to know. You are so right, and I join you in your thanks for the gift of grace. It’s the only way I can organize myself enough to come to prayer.
Thank you for your visit! Have a wonderful evening, and a peaceful night
Ceil
Evening Ceil, I always thought things were to get easier the older we become…..WRONG! It amazes me the junk and clutter that has came with age. Wisdom is part of growing older but seems like this other “stuff” wants to steal our good time…our comfort time…our peaceful time. YES, that is why we have to MAKE time with our heavenly Father. This is such a good word because I believe it is what everyday people struggle with……..not letting the day consume us with other things. Satan works in very sneaky ways and we must not let him defeat us with our time for God! Thanks for being so real…..I know it has helped me and others. The more time I spend with him….the more I want to! Blessings~~~Roxie
Hi Roxie! I am often baffled by this phenomenon too. My children are gone, it’s just my husband and me. Where is all this stuff coming from???
I love your strength in declaring that we have to make time for God. Oh how we do struggle with what takes us away from him. I noticed I am starting a bad habit of just staying planted in front of the TV after the night news. Next thing I know, it’s an hour later. Too late to pray, and I get up tired. So silly. Time to stop that nonsense.
Your last sentence says it all. Let my desire for him be first. He will reward us with more desire for him.
Hope you had a good day my friend. Have a good night,
Ceil
Love the image and concept of a clutter free prayer zone. that is a great image. Your blog is looking so crisp and clean too.
Hi Jean! Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate them.
Less distraction is always good for me. I might try some background music, but that’s about it. I get distracted enough just getting to prayer, I don’t want more while I’m in it
I really love this theme because of the rotating header. I think I’ll be sticking with it for a while.
Have a peaceful night my friend. Thank you for your visit.
Ceil
I can really relate to this too. God help us to find the best solutions for our needs.
Hi Joyful! I love your prayer, and I’ll join you as we ask the Lord to help us find the time and the peace to talk to him.
Have a wonderful day my friend,
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
I think my life must be quite ordinary compared to some people’s lives. I just go about my day doing what I enjoy doing, and praying to the Lord when I need to about whatever I need to pray about. I suppose there is no real organization in my life, but the Lord is constantly on my mind. I love it that way.
Hi Brenda! I think we are living ordinary lives. You sound a lot like some of the commenters who also pray all through the day, which is wonderful.
It might be a personality thing. I might need that time aside more than you. We are all different and have differing relationships with the Lord. Which I know he must love. You love yours, and isn’t that the best thing?
Thank you for your comment. It’s important for me to remember that we are not all alike! Actually, that was God’s plan all along. Gifts that differ, and prayer that differs. All beautiful!
Ceil
The two things that clutter my devotion time the most are my cell phone and my laptop. At times I have to “physically” place them in another room during my devotion time! I read somewhere that God never communicates with us by text or email – only through prayer!
Hi Pamelyn! It’s a great thing to know what your distractions are, and then take action to remove them. (If you added the newspaper crossword, you’d have listed all my major distractions too!)
I thank the Lord that he can speak to me, even though I am so scattered sometimes. Yikes. I do my best, and then just lay it in front of him. He sure doesn’t text or email does he? He likes the personal touch. So do I!
Good to see you
Ceil
Wow Ceil have you hit the nail on the head! I do this every weekend too! I love how you were able to bring such a spiritual insight into it and remind us how important it is to fill our time with the right things, Godly things, and not just with empty promises. Thank you for this post!
Marcie
Hi Marcie! How nice to see you here, at my new blog home!
I’m really glad you liked the post today. And I am not alone in the relentless kitchen table cleaning! I am trying to be better at throwing away the practices that keep me from prayer time. I’m still not all the way there, but I’m in there trying.
I think that’s what God loves about all of us. We are willing to try. I know he’ll meet both of with his grace to accomplish our goals.
Have a wonderful day
Ceil
Hmm…. I will never again think of “swept and tidied” in exactly the same way again!
I do so relate to your experiences, Ceil. Every morning, I allow myself two hours to get ready and end up late almost every time. Why? I allow too many distractions in …
Hi Jerralea! I’m glad you can relate. I don’t feel so alone then! I know what you mean about the morning routine.
When I was working, I’d get up three hours early to shower, eat, read the paper and pray. If I didn’t do it, I would feel so out of sorts. It shouldn’t have taken that long I suppose, my husband thought I was nuts. But I’m sure it compensated for the distractions that would come up.
Let’s just keep doing what works! Thank you for visiting today
Ceil
I have a friend who calls this “flat surface-itis”, where things just have this way of collecting on the flat surfaces at your house.
I appreciate the analogy – in my head, I’m looking to overcome this in my spiritual life. I can’t say I’ve made great progress yet this year in that area. Putting it into practice daily now, and I appreciate the reminder.
Thanks also for your sweet and kind comments on my guest post at Jen Cudmore’s blog. I appreciate your support!
Hi Karen! I like that name! I hope I’ll remember it…it’s always nice to know that one’s symptoms have a disease name
I think we all struggle with being distracted. I hope this is my year to do better. I’ll keep trying, and maybe we can do that together!
It was fun to see your guest spot at Jen’s. You do get around the internet, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
It’s true. We always tend to fill up empty spaces with things we do not really need. Same in our management of time. Whenever we have a spare moment it’s filled with something else instead of using it for prayers.
I try, whenever I can, to pray whilst travelling on a train, bus etc … A silent prayer goes a long way.
God bless.
Hi Victor! I agree with everything you said here. That’s my problem, but I’m willing to really work on it this year. It’s my goal!
Another blogger said that she prays throughout the day when she thinks of the Lord, or of someone who needs the prayer. That is lovely. And effective. I think I’ll add that in too.
Have a peaceful night my friend,
Ceil
PS just google “onion mask”
Just Googled onion mask. It’s all about how to stimulate hair loss and skin care.
I’ve been told if you freeze onions they’re easier to peel/cut. Not sure about that.
Anyway, to get back on-topic. I find that there’s never enough time to do the things that need to be done. Demands are always made on the little time I have. That’s how prayers tend to get squeezed in as opportunities arise.
God bless you Ceil. I’ll find time right now to pray for you and yours.
Victor, you just crack me up!
You are right about constant need for time, it’a hard to balance everything. I really appreciate your offer of prayer. Always needed, always accepted.
I will pray for and yours too my friend.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Ceil, Ceil. Must you know my own heart so well?? I can SO relate to this post. You have spoken volumes to this hoarding pack rat’s eternal trouble with stuff and clutter. And yes, what a great spiritual lesson out of it all. Making room isn’t enough – I loved that thought. Yes, that is indeed the first step. But it must be followed with intentional purpose, and a dedication to keeping the space open.
Sigh. I have a fight ahead of me too. But nope, not gonna give up!!
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! How are you doing my friend? You are in my prayers.
I have the same fight ahead of me. We all do, and I think it’s a constant battle to stay on our toes. But we’ll keep trying, and God will keep helping, and that’s the best thing of all.
Have a peaceful night, resting in his hands,
Ceil
Just like my house I have to daily remove clutter from the space in my mind and boy do i have a lot of mind space. If I don’t…well….you said it perfectly in your post today. My table is clear….but the bar between the living room and kitchen is a terrible catch all..:(
Hi Dee! You made me smile, thinking about all your ‘mind space.’
At least your table is clear!
We all need to try and keep our minds swept and clean, and to place good things in it’s tidy places. I’m glad you liked the post! Well, I’m glad you can relate. I’m sorry you have to struggle, but you are in good company.
We’ll make with grace. God will help us!
Have a good night Dee
Ceil
Ceil – you asked about the soup on my blog. It’s not very spicy. I think the ranch dressing keeps it tame!
Hi Mari! You are the sweetest ever. Thank you for your special trip over here to tell me that!
I’m going to copy your recipe. I know my husband will love it too
Have a good night,
Ceil
Wow! What a great blog! When you said, “Not one or the other, mind you. All of them. Shoved into the space created for prayer,” I get it, totally! This happens to me from time to time, and it only fogs up my spiritual life. I find myself lost for words, lost for scripture when I want to encourage, and I’m a total mess! I am so glad for Coffee for Your Heart because I was able to visit here for the first time. I so look forward to your next post!
Hi Beatriz! How nice to meet you today!
Isn’t it true that we can’t wait to have an opening in our day, and then we rush to figure out how to fill it? And I love to just be quiet sometimes, and just listen for his voice. I can’t do that if I’m doing 12 other things.
I did visit you this evening, and I like your blog too! I hope we will have a fun blog-friendship!
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil