Not there yet...

I love organization.  It is a goal of great pleasure to have my home, belongings, life and goals in perfect order.  Now before anyone shakes their head while thinking “Oh, Terri is one of ‘those’ people,” let me assure you that I am not quite there…yet.

I would love for every grocery item to be perfectly aligned in the cabinets, fridge, freezers and drawers with all labels in the same directions along with a running inventory of what is available and what is needed on each adjoining door.  (For now, I have continual steno pad lists.)  But I am not there…yet.

I would love for all books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and catalogs to be shelved according to strict and exact library specifications.  All the office supplies would be categorized, listed and of course, placed neatly in their locations.  We do have places for these items but without a doubt, I am not there…yet.

Clothing would be placed in closets according to long sleeve, ¾ sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless format along with shades of each color, and certainly by seasonal categories. Drawers would be neatly categorized using those amazing folding boards seen in the stores!  (I really want one of those!)  This may be a definite work in progress but I am not there yet, either.

Our home is certainly not a museum of order and efficiency.  Neither is it chaos.  It is a place to relax, refresh, rest, renew…and love one another.

Something happened in my life years ago that changed everything.  When I became a wife and mother, my world transformed completely.  We now have two adult children.  The years have passed all too quickly.  There were days I didn’t get to accomplish every project.  But every day, I loved my husband and children. There were days I didn’t enjoy a long, hot shower.  But our children were taken care of, fed, taken to doctors, hugged frequently, read to, danced with…and our highest priority.  There were moments I wanted to read, walk, play piano, study, return to school…but the time invested in being available for my family was worthwhile…and irreplaceable.  It all came down to priorities.  It still does.

Yes, I am a person of organization.  But I have learned that priorities mean even more to me.  Although I definitely want a life of order, understanding, preparation and accomplishment, I have learned that it doesn’t come from what I do or how I want things to be.  It comes from a very different Source.  Let’s face it.  Life gets messy.  Answers are not always there.  Unexpected circumstances arise.  We get blind-sided. We aren’t always prepared for what happens…or doesn’t happen.  Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense.

But one thing I know.  When I hand all of my questions, messes, surprises, losses, inadequacies and uncertainties over to the One who has it all in His hands, life is much more peaceful.  It isn’t always easy. But He has it all covered.  He is never surprised. He is always there.  He never lets go of me no matter what happens on this journey. He knows what is best in His plan and in His time.

One of my most favorite Scripture passages is Proverbs 3: 5>6.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  If I accomplish nothing else in my life, I pray I can live in order with this precious promise!  I know that what matters most is not my goals…but loving Him, leaning on Him, sharing Him and serving Him until I see Him face to face.

No, I am not there…yet…but I look forward to being with Him...forever.  ♥~thl