Sortingly, Me




In a little nook across from our downstairs coat closet and just outside the bathroom & laundry closet stands this desk.  The top is a catch-all for loose coins, screws, paper clips, and other SORTS of pocket miscellany.




The scene inside is no better.  THIS happens to be what is left when all the greeting cards I've collected over a period of years have been removed!  (I'm talking NEW greeting cards, bought with the best of intentions!)
This is the scene at our table this morning.  In the box to the left are cards for which I've found envelopes.  In the box to the right are envelopes still to be matched up with cards lying to the right on the table.  (Are you following this?)  In front of the box are cards AND envelopes, still UNSORTED.  Picture all of this inside that desk, if you can!

I'm a bit out of sorts because I've allowed this desk to become so completely cluttered that it was of no use.  It had become a source of frustration and self-incrimination.  It represented a few other areas of my life that had been left unguarded and and untended.   

Sorting it out has spread into the third day--and not because it is such a huge project.  I think, after a sort,  it's because of what it represents.  I'm dealing with THAT, too.
 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! 
Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:  
"We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgotten."
Lamentation 3:40-42

sort [sɔːt]
n. 1. a class, group, kind, etc., as distinguished by some common quality or characteristic
after a sort to some extent
out of sorts not in normal good health, temper, etc.
sort of in some way or other; as it were; rather
vb. 1. (tr) to arrange according to class, type, etc.
2. (tr) to put (something) into working order
sortable ad j  sortably adv  sorter  n

8 comments:

  1. That desks appears to be of a similar vintage to something I bought second hand years ago and have in our living room. I use the drawers for all sorts of "miscellany". I've ofen wondered about it's history...do you know anything about yours?

    Well, you are very brave to expose the inside of your desk. I have a roll top in our foyer (it seems like I've seen a similar one in some of your photos?) -- it's not "old", and looks great from the "outside" but the inside is much worse than this desk of yours. I have good intentions...definitely a spiritual analogy here too. I need to get "on" it!

    ps...what is a laundry closet??

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  2. One wall of our downstairs bathroom has double accordian style doors. They open to a closet (don't know of a better way of saying it). At one end is the stackable washer/dryer unit. The closet also includes shelves at the other end & holds my vacuum, etc. It's what I call my laundry closet :)

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  3. I also have a similar desk that was my mothers. I keep little knick nacks on it that were my mothers.
    You are not alone Rebecca. I have noticed several areas in the house that need sorting. Quite a bit of it I don't need anymore so perhaps a yard sale may be in order this spring. I have quite a card collection too!
    Love Di ♥

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  4. I want a little desk to pile stuff up in.♥ I have a hutch that has become a catch all here in Secret Haven and it needs to be sorted out. I also have let some clutter build up in my life that I am sorting through. Just to let you know I am haveing problems leaving a comment on FB. I can read it but not comment. :(

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  5. Yep, have drawers, shelves, etc. That desperately need sorting, cleaning. I know that it will help me mentally as well as keep more order in this house. Good post, keep um comin', Gina

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  6. I have the same problem with my desk; have been working on getting it organized. Wanted it done before I go to Florida but that's not going to happen, since the flu bug hit.

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  7. Oh me...........I have a whole room (behind a curtain) that *sort of* needs sorted through all the time. And I sort of don't feel like doing it most of the time.

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  8. Rebecca,
    Your blog is such a special place to visit - because it has taste, it has class, and even when you share about your struggles with clutter, still you are able to do it in such a beautiful, elegant way.

    What you write about is nothing new to me - if you are only struggling about a desk, I'm struggling with a whole house, starting with my own bedroom. How I have allowed it to become this way is my own refusal to deal with what the different piles of stuff (not necessarily unimportant) represent to me. I read you, I know where you are coming from.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Love
    Lidj

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)