Junk Drawers

Junk Drawers

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“But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted,”

Luke 14:10, NIV.

How many of us have junk drawers? To those of you whose kitchens are immaculate, they are spaces in which we hide or collect items that don’t have a place of their own. Or in reality, those items that are hidden away in a moment’s notice, when unexpected company arrives. Providing that spruce-up look to occur, naturally.

Some of us actually have junk rooms. I actually have a junk garage. That sweet safe place where items can be stored during a party. It’s usually chaotic in nature, yet full of surprises—except to my husband.

The other day we had a swap-meet party at our house. This is a gathering where people bring their gently used items and exchange them for another's gently used item. “It’s new to me!” kind of thing.

Upon setting up for this party, I neglected to set up a makeshift dressing room. But that was ratified early on in the party. Someone moved some boxes out of the way, exposing my junk-drawer side of the garage. It actually was a great idea. I just never thought to do it.

But it also exposed my clutter. And therefore, my embarrassment.

Then God spoke to my heart and reminded me that I was pretending that everything was picked up and feeling proud about it.

But He also encouraged me deeply— “No one cares. Can you hear the laughter? Can you see the smiles? And who knows—maybe someone needed to see your clutter, too. “

God is for us—always. He uses everything to draw us nearer to Him, even a junk-drawer, or a messy garage.

I gained humility before my Father, and women tried on clothing comfortably. It truly was a win-win.

How does your junk-drawer look? Is it a source of hidden shame? Or are you using it to pretend—

“I actually have everything in its place?”

Father,

Thank You for meeting me where I needed to be met. Humility before You is a step toward wisdom. And I desire to be wise, not in my own eyes, but in Yours.

Thank You for the woman who moved the boxes. She created a space for others that I had neglected to see or provide. You really do cause all things to work together for the good.

Help me to walk in a manner of open-armed service to others for Your name's sake.

I love You.

Amen.