CHAOS!!!

"Cleanliness is Next to Godliness!"
~ (Contrary to popular belief - this is NOT found in the Bible)

Okay...! (perhaps I should post a warning here for people who are very neat and organized and are faint of heart):
"Warning:  the following contains images which may be classified as very dirty and decadent and may cause persons who are afflicted with BO (Born Organized) to have sudden attacks of heart palpatations, sweaty palms, shortness of breath and a general urge to scrub the kitchen floor AGAIN today." 
(Mike and Erica - close your eyes!)

As you may or may not be aware, I have been having quite a difficult and chaotic 2 months. Since the end of September, I've been out of town 2 weekends, have had 3 major flare ups of arthritis which left me nearly crippled and a severe bout of broncitis, both of which I am still recovering from.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family.  The girls basically took care of everything. I was feeling fairly well today and figured I would try to tidy up a bit especially since we will be engaged in Decking the Halls very shortly. I knew my bedroom - slash - create space (artroom) has been seriously neglected during these past 2 months, and I had to start putting things back in order. I took a good look at my surroundings and couldn't believe how bad it had gotten!... my walker, which I haven't had to use for a couple of days, had become a clothes rack. When I couldn't walk, I just threw things in the general direction, often toppling the growing piles of junk. When packing for a weekend scrapbook retreat, I ransacked bags and boxes and drawers and shelves in an attempt to gather needed supplies.

Now, I've never been a particularly "neat" person. I love order as much as the next person, and if EVERYTHING in my life is going smoothly, AND I am living by myself, I can keep things obsessively neat and tidy... for a time. The minute I don't feel well, or I get over-extended, then I let everything go. And the result is...

~~ CHAOS!!!!!~~

Now although "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," is not found in the Bible, I know my Lord and Savior is a God of order and is in no way honored by my chaos. So... I have decided to take a deep breath, post pictures of my chaotic state for all the world to see, (I can delete these later when I'm off my meds and come back to my senses, right?)  Beginning today, I will start working little by little to put my room in a state of order and beauty. I don't know how long it will take me, especially with the next few weeks filled with Christmas/New Year's Prep and my limited physical ability.... but I've gotta begin NOW... I can't even beat a path to my workdesk to work on art projects that are due, and other "projects" I have to complete for gifts!

So here is my "cave" as it currently stands...

I will try to keep a post to show my progress as the weeks progress.  In the meantime, feel free to join me in my "quest" for unclutter and let me know how you're doing.  I will be checking out Flylady for inspiration and you may wish to do so also at http://www.flylady.net/

Time to clean house... after all, I am preparing the Advent for a very special Visitor...

Yikes!!!!!

In Everything Give Thanks

"... in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
~1 Thessalonians 5:18

I lay on my bed this morning, all my joints screaming in pain, especially my knee and my ankle. More missed work. More doctor's appointments to anticipate and more medications. Back to my walker and having my daughters do everything... and all this just before Thanksgiving!

The host on my favorite Christian radio station was talking about being able to give thanks in all circumstances:

"So a thankful life, thankful lips, the attitude of gratitude, is an evidence that I am filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you filled with the Spirit today? How can you know? Well, one way you can know is, are you thankful?"

"NO," I responded defiantly, to the voice coming from the radio.

"Are you walking in an attitude of gratitude today? If so, that’s an evidence that you’re being filled with the Spirit of God."

"I can't WALK in an attitude of gratitude - because I can't even WALK!!"

I laughed at myself.

Then, I seriously began to count my blessings;

• I was in a warm apartment
• I have a boss who told me not to worry about the sick time, just rest and get well;
• I have my 2 daughters living with me who were able to pick up meds for me and help me;
• I have medical insurance and a good doctor.
• and on and on....

The Lord has a way of helping me put things in perspective!
... and yes, I am very thankful!
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