I read the email and sighed. “You have used ‘x’ amount of your allotted storage space.” All of which meant there wasn’t much left on the Cloud for the various kinds of data and images I save—unless I want to fork over some cash. Seems my penchant for keeping electronic information has caught up with me. On the other hand, I’ve lost track of the times a family member or friend has asked if I still had ‘such and such on file.’
It has occurred to me that lots of data is not unlike . . . lotsa stuff in the closet . . . stacks upon stacks of boxes in the basement . . . a garage so overloaded there is no room for the vehicle[s]. And so forth.
However, it also occurs to me there is another area we need to check that may contain too much that is unhealthy, unused, and, well, simply unnecessary—it’s that “space” between our ears.
For example, your gray matter filled with worry? Unforgiveness? Bitterness? Resentment? Or, what about your emotional closet? Feelings of jealousy? Envy? Anger? Fear? Sadness?
I have learned from experience that when our gray matter is stuffed with lots of unhealthy, unloving junk, I need to invite God into the process of “head-cleaning.” Why? Unlike the jammed full basement, back room, or closet, the Divine usually wants to help us heal in some way as we follow the Spirit.
It would be handy if we could speak a simple phrase, think a simple thought, or take a simple action that would instantly clear our heads. While that is possible in some instances, it is wisdom to cooperate with God in his time and plan.
This was never more obvious to me than my recent re-encounter with feelings of fear. “Lord,” I said, out loud, “thought we had eliminated that one.”
As I listened to the still small voice, this is what the Spirit seemed to say: “Yes, together we have done much to sweep that one out of the room, however, like the boxes in your closet, it can find a corner to nestle and begin to accumulate again. Therefore, rather than view this as a one-and-done-clean up, consider the value of sweeping out the room on a regular basis, before the pile becomes overwhelming.”
Oh. Now that makes a lot of sense—to my heart, not just my head.
Could be similar to another common situation. Most of us don’t let the dirty dishes pile up in the sink, spill onto the counters, and stack up on the floor. We wash and dry [even if we use a dishwasher] in batches, at least every day or two.
Which doesn’t mean we need to go to the other extreme and “clean up our thoughts and feelings” every five minutes or on the hour. That would be cause for other kinds of unhealthy behaviors.
Here’s where prayer, discernment, and a good practice of a Daily Examen comes in handy. There are many wonderful such spiritual tools out there, although I particularly appreciate the Ignatian Examen. When we are faithful to take time to pray and meditate, we soon discover we clean our “mental house”. We clear out the piles of yucky stuff that may pull us down, or cover us in a mound of dread or angst.
As for my computer, the task of clearing space on the Cloud involves a lot of time and attention, yet for every item I delete, I am delighted with the results. And even more so when I tend to the stuff that fills the space between my ears.
Do I tend to fill any/all space with unhealthy thoughts or feelings? Why?
How do I feel about asking God for help to clear out the space?
What one thing can I literally or figuratively toss or repurpose today?
