I’ve Hoarded Some Things

Our neighbor’s house has been unoccupied since the late 80’s. The owners left the house along with all its hoarded contents, locked the door behind them, and there the house has sat for decades.

Recently, someone bought the house and the remodeling process is well underway. This has been no easy task. Trailer load after trailer load hauling garbage and deteriorated what nots to the dump have come and gone each day.

Before any real beautification can take place, the well worn pathways of what once was must be removed. All the junk and debris must go.

Before the new owner’s began remodeling, my husband walked through the house with them to inspect it out of curiosity. It was like time stood still. Layers upon layers of accumulated dust from thirty plus years of dormancy covered the contents that once served their family well. I’m not particularly fond of dust or things that could potentially live in a condition unkempt for years on end, so I took a pass on this tour.

Maybe I didn’t want to go on the tour because I was afraid of what I would see. And there it is in plain print. Afraid. There is a connection between my mind and heart and what’s happening with this house next door.

I’ve hoarded some things. I either don’t know how to handle them, or I am afraid of what the situation might look like if I do, so I’ve closed the door on them. They’re sitting dormant due to avoidance. Ignorance is bliss, right?

Insert shiny conclusion to this devotional here. One that shows how I dealt with these things and came out on the other side with a stellar outcome. There’s not one. But I trust that there will be one day.

I trust because I know the goodness of God. I know that He is not going to leave me in my wrestling. I know that in my weakness, He is strengthening me by His power (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). I know that I have a Helper (John 14:26). I know that, “He gives me new strength. For the good of his name, he leads me on paths that are right.” (Psalm 23:3 ICB).

Sometimes, I think we have a tendency to feel that if we are struggling or wresting then we must be lacking something or doing something wrong in our walk with God. Fear of what others may think may keep the hoard of our minds discreetly tucked away.

Contrarily, struggling and wrestling has been a part of working out faith throughout the history of the Bible (Hebrews 11). Time and again we see His goodness displayed in the caring of His people.

Our dependency must be tethered to our surrender to the Defender.

Where are you today? Struggling? Wresting? In bondage? Joyful? Captive? Free? Renewed?

His goodness rests with us. He loves us dearly. Faults included.

Father God, thank You that as my sin crushed down upon You on the cross, You chose to carry my shame and offer my forgiveness through Your sacrifice. Father, help me navigate my humanity through Your guidance and presence. Give me courage and strength to deal with my wresting and struggles in a way that honors You and is led by You. Please fortify my weaknesses, Holy Spirit. Shield my heart against unfruitfulness. Amen