That recent morning was like any other; I woke up, talked and prayed with dear Husband. The morning had begun with promise, but when I entered my kitchen, I was ambushed! Apparently, an evil gnome had made a terrible mess of my countertops. (It couldn’t have been me.) I started to cook our muesli, but the pan was dirty. It actually sneered at me from the sink with its crusty smile, “Ah, remember me? I’m the one you just put a little water in and abandoned for 24 hours. You’re a lousy housekeeper.”
Gulp.
As I went to fill the electric teapot, I realized the counter there was sticky. Was that a jeer I heard from the spilled juice? Guilt mounted.
Then I opened the freezer door and was threatened with an avalanche. How did the frozen berries get buried? And which bag is the already opened one? A bunch of voices chimed in, “When are you ever going to organize this mess?” I couldn’t get the door shut fast enough.
I put out the bowls, then went for the spoons. Uh, oh, I didn’t start the dishwasher last night, and all the spoons are dirty. Hmmm, clearly serrated grapefruit spoons wouldn’t do. The occupants of the dishwasher had unkind comments, too. “Sooo, you finally come begging after leaving us in shameful shape all night long.”
By this time, I was defeated by the onslaught, and it was only 7:30 am. Since my counters are a mess, that must mean I’m a mess. What hope is there? The sprouting onion and sweet potatoes shouted in unison from the corner, “No hope! Think how long you’ve ignored us. What kind of housekeeper are you?”

I responded weakly, “I was going to plant you. I actually did plant two of you. But, I didn’t know where to plant the rest of you, and it was too late in the season, and . . . and your leaves are kinda pretty twining up the two-tiered fruit basket.”
“Hmpf, yeah, yeah. Nice try. Just end our misery, ok?”
Excuse me, I have to stop writing and do something in the kitchen.
I’m back. One sprouted sweet potato in a decorative bowl, and three are cooking. Yes, some are a little pithy, but I can’t bring myself to throw them away. Taking care of them sooner would have been a better idea. Will I ever learn to make a decision instead of waiting for . . . What? Putting it off is easier- in the present, but it putting it off catches up with me later, and it isn’t easier then.
Did you ever notice that even a small roadblock can clog up your progress? That piece of clothing you can’t decide whether to donate or not keeps sitting on the folding area, and you keep working around it and wondering why you feel bad about yourself when you do laundry. That bit of leftover that’s in the back of the fridge that you can’t bring yourself to eat, and can’t throw it away. Those shoes that don’t fit, but you paid good money for and couldn’t return. If you donate them, you’re admitting fault- you wasted money. But if they sit on the shoe shelf, they keep winking at you, “See, I’m taking up physical and mental space and you’re not brave enough to get rid of me.”

Procrastination for me consists of two parts- I can’t decide what I should do. Sometimes it’s that I don’t know where to start, sometimes it’s that I don’t know which option is wiser. At other times, I know exactly what I should do, but don’t want to do it because it’s hard or boring, and I’d rather do something easier or more fun. Basically, I’m fearful of making the wrong decision or I’m lazy. And here is where the Lord meets me, no matter how small or big the roadblock. He is compassionate and understands our weakness. He is ready to give us wisdom and courage, and he’s ready to give us determination and earnestness. He does this by his Spirit using his Word to show us where we’re going wrong and helping us take the better way. This doesn’t mean the Bible will tell us which leftovers to throw away. But it does mean that the Bible will guide us into right thinking. We’ll recognize and repel the devil’s lies when we’re full of God’s truth. I know that God doesn’t give up on me because my kitchen is messy.  I have the peace that he patiently helps me even when I relapse into bad habits.  When we’re loving God and the people he has put in our lives, and willingly obeying him, even small things get sorted out.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  Romans 12:2

We know God cares about the small things because they add up to burdens that take up headspace, crowding out good, uplifting thoughts like how to meet someone’s needs or a quick prayer of gratitude. Today is a very good day to face those pesky, negative, space holders. Value what matters- your guilt-free mental space cleared out for better thoughts. Admit you tried, failed, and are ready to start clean. Do what needs to be done, looking forward to the peace and order that your work will bring.

What if you’re facing bigger roadblocks? You don’t have a skill that would make you more effective, and you know it’ll be a lot of work to learn. So you keep shoving it back every time the thought comes. Why not take one step forward today? Be diligent in studying what you can online. Ask God for someone who knows what you want to learn. Would they be willing to coach you and keep you accountable? It often takes another human to walk through it with you to keep you on track. We’re created to need others and help others.

What if it’s a relationship roadblock? Have you asked God to search your heart and show you what part of the problem you need to own? Humbly look at your attitudes and actions (or lack thereof). Is there something you need to change in yourself? Things you need to confess? Offenses you need to forgive? This doesn’t mean the relationship will be restored. It does take two, but you will be free to move forward with your life.

What if it’s a financial roadblock? Do you know exactly where your money is going? Does your spending reflect what you claim is important to you? Or are there money leaks that drain the flow that should be going to what matters in the long run? Find a budgeting software that works for you and make a plan for each dollar that comes in before you spend anything mindlessly. Having a plan for spending, giving to God’s work, and saving will take the fear and guilt around money away.

We know God cares about the big roadblocks because he wants to enable us to become all he wants us to be. Take time each day to read the Bible and let him direct your thoughts and desires. Trust him to give you the wisdom to recognize your roadblocks and chose the right path, the strength to do the work, and the courage to do only what pleases him.

P.S.  I’m not judging anyone with a messy house.  I just know that my personality withers in chaos and flourishes in order.  So for me to function at peak, I need to clear the clutter.