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www.glynniswhitwer.com
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Today I am featuring guest designer:
Sharon Bruyere of "Shay Designs"
Hello, my name is Sharon and I am the creator behind Shay Designs Jewelry & Accessories. I have a wonderful husband of 22 years who was my high school sweetheart. We have three amazing kids whom we focus our lives around in every way possible. I started Shay Designs as an outlet for my desire to create, which has been a part of me since as far back as I can remember. Every piece of my jewelry and accessories reflect my love for all things girly with a shabby chic flair! My passion is reflected in my pieces, which I take great pride in creating for each customer and their own personal requests. All my pieces can be customized and changed to your desire. Stop by Shay Designs Jewelry & Accessories and take a peek. And check back often, as I will be continually creating new and exciting pieces for that Fabulous Girly-Girl in You!Here are some samples of Shay's amazing pieces:
Sharon's pieces are very reasonably priced, make such wonderful gifts and keepsakes, and I am pleased to announce that she is graciously offering a 20% discount to our Clutter Free Challenge readers!!
You can visit her etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShayDesignsJewelry?ref=si_shop
At checkout use discount code: CLUTTERFREE
Thanks again for visiting Day 2 of the Clutter Free Challenge!
Blessings!
Brandy
Clutter-Free Day 2 – I align my thoughts with God’s
Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:00 AM PST
Welcome back to Day Two in our Clutter-Free Challenge. I’m so glad you are here.
Today we are going to start in the command center of our de-cluttering journey – our minds.
It’s not usually a lack of energy that holds us back. It’s not too-small cabinets. It’s not a lack of a garage that keeps us from being able to make decisions about what to do with our stuff. It’s our minds, our thoughts, our mental processing. Let me give you examples of what I mean.
* I’ve looked at a to-do list that is waaaaaay too long, felt overwhelmed and made a decision to turn on the TV. What a self-defeating decision.
* I’ve looked at an overflowing closet and thought “Maybe those too-small shoes won’t hurt me next time I wear them.” Not logical. They will.
* I’ve held on to a gift I will never use, in order to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. That seems like a nice thing to do, but I’m being controlled by my assumptions and fear of rejection.
In each of those decisions (and so many more), my thoughts directed me to something not in my best interest. And in each instance, I never once asked God what He would want me to do.
As Christians we have a hotline to God’s wisdom (James 1:5). Plus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us who is our counselor (John 14:26), and the Bible tells us we have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). That’s a powerhouse of help! But we don’t tap into this source of help . Or maybe we do, but if the truth be told, we don’t really expect God to answer us. Others, those super-spiritual types, may hear from God. But not me, we think.
And so we struggle with problem-solving. We are frustrated at our circumstances, confused about what to do, discouraged and defeated. It’s a downward cycle.
For years, I never even thought to ask God for help making little decisions. Maybe I’d bring Him in on the big decisions, but the little ones I figured I could handle myself. Oh, how I missed out on so much clarity and focus.
On day two of the Clutter-Free Challenge, I invite you to make your first step in any de-cluttering project to ask God to clear your mind and direct your decision-making. Then trust He is doing just that. Once you ask God to speak to you – then expect it to happen. This expectation is crucial to hearing from God. Here what James 1:5-8 says:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
If you do start to doubt, then take that thought captive and choose to trust that God has spoken. Listening and trusting is an important part of prayer. Prayer is not always to get God to move. Many times, prayer positions us to hear God’s direction on how we should move. Through prayer, we align our hearts to God’s heart, and things become clearer.
Is the clutter in your mind making it hard to think clearly? Perhaps one of the problems is you’re trying to figure things out on your own. You have been given the mind of Christ and you are offered the wisdom of God. Ask and receive. Here’s a summary:
When I’m overwhelmed:
* I position myself in a place to receive, and ask for God’s help.
* I quiet myself in order to hear God’s voice.
* I expect God to answer and direct me.
* I trust that my thoughts are from Him, and I don’t doubt.
Tomorrow, I’ll share another tip on de-cluttering your thoughts, and give you some insight into why it’s so hard to focus. Until then …
Grace & Peace
Glynnis
Lord, You know how hard it is for me to focus sometimes. It’s hard to figure out what needs to be done. I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I know You aren’t a God of confusion, so I ask for Your wisdom and clarity to help bring order to my chaotic mind. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you’d like to read more of my thoughts on decluttering and getting organized, I hope you’ll consider getting my book, “I Used to Be So Organized.” Available through Proverbs 31 Ministries, Amazon, ChristianBooks.com or wherever books are sold. Please note that as of today, there is a short wait to receive my book. However, I know shipments went out last week from my publisher and shipping time should change soon.
I love the jewelry showcased. It's beautiful! On my way to check it out now.
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