By the time the end of the school year had come, I was ready for summer. I was ready for a rest. A sabbatical of sorts.
I love the stillness of both the early mornings and the late nights. Quiet. No TV, no voices, no demands. Nothing pulling at me to get a piece of me.
The question has been looming big in my head – How do I find it in the course of my day? Where do I find it?
Without this “sandwich” of time, I have nothing to offer anyone. I need quiet in my life. The solitude somehow cures me of the clutter I often feel my life has become.
Clutter according to dictionary.com –>
- to fill or litter with things in a disorderly fashion
- to run in disorder, moving about with confusion
- noise
Some synonyms –> mess, disorder, jumble.
I thought to myself, “No wonder we always enjoyed Design Star.” Remember The Whitebox Challenge?
Each designer was presented a totally white box room. It was their space to create in. The challenge sparked creativity, providing each designer with the opportunity to create something new. And each whitebox was as unique as its designer.
The whitebox, by its very nature of being totally empty, was devoid of clutter. There is no mess in the box. The blank canvas is a wide open space waiting to be created upon and within.
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19, NIV)
“He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” (NLT)
Can it be that because He delights in me, He desires for me to have space in my life? Can it be in that very space, which He calls me to, which He creates in my life, is the very space where I will find safety? Can it be He rescues me to bring me to the very place where He can create something new in me? A sacred whitebox.
He brings me to the “whitebox”, which is:
- 1) A safe place. “You have not handed me over to my enemies, but have set me in a safe place.” (Psalm 31:8, NLT) He brings me to a safety, not to a constricted place filled with distress.
- 2) A place of direction. It is a place where He directs my steps AND takes care of every detail of my life. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:23, NLT)
I began to clean our home, like deep clean, one room at a time beginning with our bedroom. I sorted, filed, separated, folded, dusted, and vacuumed. I also removed from the house bags being donated and those being trashed. Our room looked worse before it looked any better, but as I stayed the course, I began to feel lighter, more orderly, and less claustrophobic.
And I was beginning to realize our lives are a continuous whitebox challenge both in the physical and spiritual sense.
Is it any wonder I long for this space?
The sacred whitebox.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wed. and Coffee For Your Heart and Words of Life Wed. and Whimsical Wed. and Wed.Prayer Girls and Wedded Wed. and Winsome Wed. and Works For Me and Capture Your Journey .
Amen and Amen! I tweeted this one!
Thank you for sharing the post. Much appreciated.
As a designer, I am a big fan of design shows. I have seen may white box challenges. What a great point about the importance decluttering and an open space waiting to be created. I am so ready for a purge both in my home and emotionally. I hoping to spend some extra time with God while my kids are at camp to pray through things I’s like to let go of. I like that you mention that your room looked worse before it got better. That’s so good to remember so not to get discouraged!
We are big fans of design shows in our house. I was amazed at the way God was teaching me as I was cleaning. May you take full advantage of those camp days 🙂
Motivating and convicting at the same time! Well written.
Some days I find I need the conviction in order to get motivated. I always appreciate seeing your face here. Blessings!
Joanne, I’m visiting from Shelley’s. I love this analogy. I write for HomeGoods designHappy and so besides my personal devotional blog, I write regular decorating tips and ideas. Your post connected my loves into one small space. It is so nice to meet you. I look forward to coming back for more.
I am so glad you stopped here. Thank you for sharing about your two blogs & loves. It was encouraging to me to see how God uses my post in such unexpected ways. I appreciate that you stopped & shared. Will definitely come & visit you!
Sitting here pondering this one. I can’t help but to think of the challenge that will present itself when my husband does return home. Meaning . . . there has been more open space and recreating taking place. The home is frequently quiet and there is time for reflection. Obvioulsy, I want him home but this has me reflecting on how we find that balance in our lives. How will we recreate when he returns home? I may say this often after comments but . . . not sure if what I said made sense so I will say again, pondering this one. Love those kind of posts that leaving you thinking like that. Have a beautiful week, Joanne. xoxo
Beth, I think you expressed your concerns well. I know the Lord will show you both how to created space. And as He leads you, home will become a safe & delightful place for you both. I am grateful you found food for thought. Praying for you & the transition the days ahead will bring. Much love to you!
Hi Joanne – this post would be great on the Faith Barista linkup about creating whitespace in our lives. The author is all about making space in our crowded – much like your post. It is cathartic to go through a room and purge and organize – leaving no stone unturned. It gives you mental clarity and freedom as well as physical.
I am so wanting to read her book. It is amazing to me how wonderful it felt to organize one room. I am going to need to go to her website. Thanks for mentioning it, Laura!