First off, shout-out to my church for the morning prayer template, because having to pray (confess) Psalm 23 every Tuesday morning had me begging my heavenly father for revelation on this passage, so I don’t resent it. Would you believe, ladies and gentlefolk, that as I was kabashing one faithful morning, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Your closet.” I said, “My closet Keh?” Anyway, I kept praying, but throughout that week it became clearer what “My Closet” meant, and I’m certain you understand, too. To make it simple for my gentle folk, I needed to work on tidying what I had rather than focusing on what new things I wanted. The Psalmist, in retrospect, was the last of His siblings, and rather than being affected by today’s “baby of the house” syndrome, he understood, while herding sheep, that “bread at hand was of better use than that in the oven”, or however that saying goes. The man’s ability to beware of covetousness eventually saves him at the Valley of Sheba Elah.

1 Samuel 17:38 reads “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them” regarding King Saul’s armour to fight Goliath; he rather chose for himself the slingshot he was used to and prepared to use. While I’m not here to condemn retail therapy (we eventually see David train to use this weaponry for future battles), it is important to note when we need new things rather than when we WANT or desire without adequate preparation. Seasons of preparation look different for each of us, with some preparing by ushering and taking coats, while others are tasked with cooking for every church event. A heavy faux-fur coat with red-bottom boots looks cute to me, but a Ninja-themed cookware set is my sister’s dream.

All our journeys are unique, pastures that need us to let the Lord show us the green. This brings to my remembrance the verse that asks us to let faith have it’s perfect work in us, we can’t pray it away, we must only remember the shepherd on whose very word we lean “ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you”. So today, make it a mission to declutter that closet, do your laundry – you might eventually find those cute socks you wanted to replace, and maybe stop comparing yourself to people who are better prepared than you.

Decluttering doesn’t only clear your space; it also clears your mind and amply prepares you for God’s next step. At the appointed time, you will get that new pair of Louboutins, but for now, let’s work on buying a shoe rack…. Can I get an Amen?