The weatherman’s little square picture last weekend forecasted clouds and showed 39 degrees as the high temperature. You might assume I had started the semi-annual task of updating my children’s closets, but I’m a professional procrastinator, and big projects are my specialty.
You know the drill for the switch: hours of dragging dusty boxes down from the attic, hashing though worn clothes and sorting the current closet contents to weed out what’s needed for the cold winter ahead.
I feel a little like George Washington planning and protecting his troops at Valley Forge- except without the white powdered wig and starvation and such.
Yesterday, I worked in Ollie’s room and it was a snap! I took out the things that didn’t fit, boxed them up and added what new things I’d bought. {That lucky first born child gets the brand NEW consignment clothes!}
I had to stealthily make the big switch while he was at pre-school, though, to stash away his beloved Thomas the Tank Engine shirt. With it on, he looks like Dora wearing her belly shirt, so I was happy to see it retired.
Today was more of a challenge. I sifted through 4 boxes of sweaters, semi-wadded shirts and corduroy pants that I can already hear wrink-wrink-wrinking down the hallway. Henry has the hand-me-down version of consignment clothes, but most were still fit to be seen in public.
Each time I opened a box, I felt a surge of my recent past coming back to me. My two boys are two years apart; long enough for me to forget each item, but short enough to remember the moments they were worn. Many memories are attached to those treasured outfits that my little guy is acquiring from his big brother.
I touched and lingered a little over most of them: outfits he wore to weddings, special gifts from family, adorable Christmas jumpers, special splurge pajamas and even the somewhat tattered-edged jeans. This was the year that my husband put the kibbutz on smocked outfits, but I still got by with a few.
As I was sifting though the 3T wardrobe and tearing up about my growing children, I started to realize that God does a little bit of seasonal cleaning in me, too.
He has stripped some of the things that I thought I needed for security {much like the Thomas shirt} and has given me exactly what I need for this season of my life: friends like sweaters for warmth, family like jackets for protection and children like splurge pajamas to keep life interesting.
God shows up in my wardrobe, too! Sometimes he is the corduroy pants I can easily hear and see in my life and sometimes he is the well- worn college sweatshirt casually waiting for me to notice him. Either way, he is always there {but hopefully not in the stack awaiting a trip to the dry cleaners}.
While I am constantly going through the cleaning out process in life, each lesson has made me who I am and I’m thankful for all of them- even the stained and slightly torn ones. Those give me character, right? And I think they might even be in style this season.
So, welcome fall and winter! We are looking forward to new memories in hand me down clothes and the lessons God will teach us in this season of life.
Without the belly shirt.
Hallelujah and Amen.
What kind of seasonal shuffle does God do in your life?
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This post blessed my heart. I have been having issues with the season God has me in right now because He has literally pulled me away from everything and everyone.
Thanks for sharing this. It meant alot to me!
I certainly agree with what you said about the stained and slightly torn ones being in style this season 😉
What a great post to think about as I start my morning, thanks for sharing 🙂
Hillary, how is it that you organized closets AND heard God’s voice? You are all over it, girl! Seriously, the seasonal closet is a great metaphor for God’s provision, and I love what you’ve written here. Focusing on all the good that God is providing in this season is the main way I’ve been able to (mostly) stay positive in a time of life where nothing is what I expected it to be. I may be a candidate for What Not to Wear on the outside, but on the inside, God keeps me very well-dressed. 🙂
Oh what a sweet post! Love that belly shirt too.
Cxx
I’m so proud of you! This is an awesome post, regardless of where it is published (though that is pretty cool, too!) I’m glad God has chosen to put YOU in MY wardrobe this season of my life. Love you, sis!
Thank you for sharing this message. I love metaphors and this one is perfect for the season.
Adorable belly shirt, too!! 🙂
Oh Hillary…So much goodness in this!
*Slowing down to enjoy the memories of family instead of speeding through one task and off to the next. Goodness!!
*Taking the time to acknowledge God in all the things of life and not just seeing or hearing Him during sermons and devotions. (Prov. 3 ~ in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him!)Goodness!!
*Sharing it all with others to encourage (Hebrews 10:24 ~ let us consider how we may spur one anothe on…) Goodness!!
So sweet and so proud of you! Reminds me of this post: http://phillipsphamilyphive.blogspot.com/2009/09/making-room.html
Here’s to the changing of seasons!
What a beautiful post and how TRUE it is!! I can completely relate to what you’re saying. Thank you for these wise words.
Beautiful post. Friends are definitely warm sweaters!
Beautiful post, Hillary! I love when you (we) see God in the EVERYDAY.
What a great post & analogy! Reminding us all to look for God in our daily lives and in the everyday tasks that we have. You are a gifted writer and I am so glad I am blessed to call you friend!!!
Hillary, What a beautiful post! You’re right, God shows up everywhere if we just take time to find him there! Congrats to you on (in)courage!!!
Thank you, Hillary, for the perfect message that I needed to hear today.
Angela Pea
Keeping the Faith
Hi Hillary – beautiful post. Loved the words seasonal shuffling – i’ve been in a season of stripping winter leaves – for much more than just a quarter of a year, but I see a new season on the horizon. I have to admit, though, even though this has been a long year, it’s been a year where i’ve seen God more clearly. Thanks for the thoughts, the lovely words and more lovely heart!
I, too, just dug out the boxes of long pants and sweaters for my kids. And boxed up the too-small summer clothing. It does make me think about the passing time and how fast they are growing when I see what no longer fits!
And yes, I do see how God removes things from my life and adds other “new” things and people as I grow – or as HE makes me grow!
I’m right there with you on the teary-eyed project of boxing the kid’s clothes. There are so many little outfits that hold such dear memories for me. (sob)
I love your metaphor…and I’m just so danged proud of you for being on (in)courage! Is that okay for me to say here publicly? 🙂
What a great analogy. I’m doing the closet shuffle this week. Last night, we wrapped up in blankets because the jackets are still boxed up.
With this post on my mind, I sense some great prayer times ahead. As I work on the clothes, I can ask God to work on my heart. Thank you!