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When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to twirl in the grass. With arms out stretched, I’d spin around and around until I was silly-dizzy, and then fall to the ground with a giggly heart. It was thrilling, invigorating and a fun, simple way to spend a lazy summer day in the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Now that I’m older, I can’t handle spinning in circles. My body rejects any twisty endeavor. Nausea quickly sets in and reminds me that I’m not a young “spinny-girl” anymore.
Several years ago while my family and I were at an amusement park, in an effort to gain favor in the eyes of my kids and earn imaginary super mom points I enthusiastically got on a ride that spun in circles. My hero-husband always goes on this type of ride with our children, so I thought, If Brad can do it, then I can do it, right?
Not. So. Much.
I walked up the ramp to the wretched “Wheel of Whirl” naively optimistic and walked down the ramp having made a great big fool of myself. The park employee had to stop the ride to let me off.
Bad decision.
Yucky feelings followed. Instead of becoming super mom I became super sick mom. My center of balance and emotions were completely thrown off leaving my poor family with the disenchanted consequences of my twirling ambitions.
Just like that day in the amusement park, I constantly find myself thrown off balance from the wheeling whirl of life clutter.
Why?
Simply put: I complicate my life.
If we’re being honest, then I’d have to confess that I am one of my own biggest obstacles to living as an uncluttered woman. I know that I should depend solely on God for direction and strength, but the simple fact is I often don’t.
Most of us would admit that this is the case. Right?
It’s hard to sift through all that is thrown at us each day. Clutter happens and navigating this silly-dizzy world is difficult. There are ten bazillion things that vie for our attention and clutter our faith: emotions, materialism, negative thinking, overbooked schedules, doubts, legalism, laziness, self-reliance, our past pains and failures, technology, work, our desire to control things, finances, debt, stress, addictions, discontentment and relationships. And I’m just getting started!
The Bible instructs us to direct our silly-dizzy days toward God.
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
In His presence, God gives order to both our thoughts and our to-do lists.
Everything changes when we seek Him first and commit our plans to Him.
Becoming an uncluttered woman is all about personal contact with Jesus. You and I will experience greater peace and deeper faith as we determine to respond to His constant invitation to come.
And don’t worry … Jesus is no stranger to clutter.
He walked the same earth we do and dealt with the same struggles and problems we deal with. He loved many a cluttered woman while here on earth and many more before and since His ascension. He knows your clutter – all of your complicated stuff – and He invites you to come just the same.
When we position ourselves in the presence of the Peace-giver and ask Him to lead and prioritize our heart matters, the uncluttering begins. And in the uncluttering our chaos is calmed.
Dear God, Thanks for reminding me that I can always come to You and trade in my exhaustion for Your rejuvenation. Please bring order to my day and establish my priorities according to Your will. Show me how to become an uncluttered woman.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What are you seeking first? Are there activities, emotions, relationships, or thoughts in your life that need to be committed to the Lord? Spend a few moments in prayer and ask the Lord to establish your plans according to His will.
Since we’ve gone there devotionally, let’s go deeper by exploring this topic musically. Click here to join me on my blog and watch the music video for Uncluttered. Then share a few thoughts on my wall about your top clutter concerns – or simply write, “I’m done with the clutter!”
Comments 64
This is one of my favorite songs.
Thank you for the message of your song . . . I needed to hear it today. I’ve been laid off and find myself facing my long overdue need to unclutter on multiple levels . . . physical, emotional, relational, spiritual. I’ve read copiously on the psychology of uncluttering to understand why this is so challenging for me. Letting go of “stuff” has been a slow, and often painful, journey thus far; yet, exhilarating! When I get stuck on one project, I move to another one with the intent of taking one more small step towards reaching my goal. So many items in my home are pregnant with meaning, and evoke an immediate visceral response when faced with the decision to keep, give away, or throw away. However, I am blessed and grateful for having more than enough, and know God will actively support me through this major life transition.
Uncluttering my life and home has been a project for me for a very long time. I feel as though life is passing me by so quickly and there’s so much I want to do before life’s end. Sorting through the clutter is a big deal for me and I do have to remember to go to Jesus to ask for His help/advice/direction before doing anything else. Thank you for your encouraging words both in story and music. You are a blessing.
Gwen
I’m so glad your family was able to move back into your place.(Praise God)!.Love the snapshot of your trio of little wiener dogs snuggled on the floor.
Thankyou Gwen for this honest and thoughtful message and very touching song. It struck a cord. I still struggle with this busyness of my life. I think in some jobs and situations it’s hard to escape “the clutter” because its drains you.. Mentally and physically it is so exhausting. I come home tired.
I continue to pray on this , for me,my family members, and my job. To surrender all my chaos and worries to the Lord
So I can receive his peace and be renewed.
Beautiful song. Beautiful post. You strike a cord with me and I love it. Thank you for sharing your words and song. It helps me greatly. God bless ❤️
Thanks so much Gwen,
I’m done with clutter.
Kathy.
Thank you Gwen. I so needed this today as I struggled to get out of bed. I recently retired so my life should feel more uncluttered than ever but like so many of the words on your wall there are feelings inside me that keep me from letting God reign in my life. Your words and song were from God to encourage me. Bless you!
Gwen, thanks for blessings once again with your honest message & song, Uncluttered. I’m striving to remove clutter & distractions that get in the way of keeping God first in my life, prayers & worship. Glad you’re back in home & thanks for sharing life & answered prayers with us.
Beautiful Gwen, thank you for sharing. I want to be uncluttered and focus on Him.
Praise His Name, Amen
My Dear Sister! I am so filled with gratitude to Our Lord for you! I am delighted that you are back in your home! Prayers answered. I too, have uncluttered my heart today!
Thank you! These message was right on time. I had been feeling so clutter and praying for God to help me. Thank you Lord for giving these message to Gwen to give to women all around the world.
I am done with Clutter. Inside and out. Loved the song. God spoke to me. I have been running way to long. Pilling clutter on top of my heart. God is removing one layer at a time with me.
Uncluttered, is good. And no, running yourself ragged is never good, for you or your family in the long run. Glad your got your house ready, I see the dogs already feel at home.
Wow beautiful song!
This song really made me stop…think…
I felt a sense of reassurance…it was like God and I looked at each other.
He reminded me that He knows the desires of my heart. From my youth I have always love Jesus. As a mother, I still love Jesus.
And today,
I feel like God said: He see’s, knows and honors that (all of our labor is not in-vain.
I began to sing “I Surrender All” quietly along Gwen’s song “Uncluttered”.
Because, one should only surrender all to someone whose love is pure and true.
Thanks Gwen for this song and thank you Girlfriends in God for today’s devotional!!!
Beautiful song!Thank you for sharing
So beautiful & so very true indeed!
Thank you so much for the words of inspiration and such a beautiful song. I needed this today. My mind and my heart is cluttered today. Thankfully, I have time to sit with our Lord so He can help me process what my priorities should be and leave tgem with Him.
This may sound strange. I’m a single mom. 4 girls. 13 16 17 24. I do not live a cluttered life. I do not over schedule myself. Or my kids. I have not put them into tons of sports , lessons , ect. One reason is because I’m not financially able to. But. I’ve always tried to live a calm life. Of course times have come when I need to DAILY list all the appointments and chores and things I need to do Maybe because it’s a holiday. Or special occasion. But everyday life is normally not so overwhelming This is the strange part. I’ve often been jealous of the soccer moms and families that have their kids into so many lessons they have to use a dry erase board to get through the day. I’ve often wanted more clutter. The trend not so long ago was just that. I heard women bragging about running themselves ragged and how fulfilling it was. I want to say thank you. To all of you. For changing my mind. I can spend these quiet or seemingly boring moments talking and hearing the voice of my creator directing me guiding me. I’ll let Him tell me what comes next. Knowing God it will most likely be an adventure And then I’ll sit and wait for the next one. I’ve been reading the girlfriends in God everyday for a little over a year. Please never stop. I count on you being there. What a huge blessing. Thank you. ❤️
Rachel, what a beautiful song and how true when have so much cutter in our hearts we forget how Good God truly is.
Unclutter has to start with me now. I know I trust Him, and I will do what is necessary for me to live the victorious life as He has planned for me.
Gwen,
Your posting has always been exceptionally intriguing to me and my walk with GOD. I so appreciate all the ministering you do. I have been trying to remove all sorts of clutter, mentally, emotionally and physically, it has been quite a struggle. I truly thank you for inspiring me, this lets me know I am on the right path; yet, must add more of GOD in the my process. I pray to Him always – but not quite where I should be. Your voice is amazing! I know that I must allow GOD to guide me in the process, more of Him and less of me. I pray for an amazing transformation.
Thank you Gwen! 🙂
I’m done with the clutter! God knows I need this message today, right now. Thank you!
Thank you for this inspirational message on clutter. I find my life now much easier to have time for the Lord to pray and read his Word and devotional time. There are days are fine myself weary because of not having things to do when I had the clutter of a family, a job to go to everyday, and then I feel tired and it is the emotions of not having these in my life and I am done with that clutter and giving it to God so I can enjoy my life as God has planned for right now. Keeping my eyes on Jesus is the best plan.
Beautiful song. I need to declutter my worries, anxiety, depression, indecisiveness and give it all to Jesus Christ my Savior.
Thank you for this timely message. Beautiful song! I spend too much time worrying and being anxious. I pray every day. I am done with this emotional clutter. God bless you for your words of encouragement.
I’m done with clutter!
Thank you! Beautiful and so true Lord help me to live uncluttered.
You have NO idea how much I needed this today. I too was drawn to read the devotional today. My home has been so cluttered for way to long and just started de-cluttering yesterday. Thank you for sharing your heart. May God continue to bless you and your ministry. I loved ths song.
Thank you.
What a beautiful song and so true for many including myself!
You have a beautiful voice. May I make a suggestion please, if you could put the words across the bottom it would be great for us with hearing loss. I wish I could hear the words but I cannot hear them well.
In God,
Debbie
Praying God will help me with the clutter. I’m done with the clutter.
Had an ah ha moment, remembering that God is not the author of confusion. And, as your prayer reminded me, I can stop, and choose to give my exhaustion clutter, chaos, etc to The Lord! I don’t have to hold on to it… So why do we? We would not choose to carry broken glass, spoiled food, garbage, or poison, so why do we insist on holding on to our stuff? Love the song and the devotional.
Thank you for the answer to my prayer request I mention to my prayer gathering just yesterday. “I’m done with clutter. Praise God!”
Thank you for this beautiful song today! It has inspired me. Right now I’m overwhelmed with all of the clutter in my life and this puts everything into perspective. I want to totally de-clutter my life!
Very good, great time to clean out some closets…
Thank you so much! I can begin to tell you how on point this is for me at this time. I felt a super strong pull on my heart to read this devotional today and now I know why. I am comforted knowing that I am not alone and other people feel the same way. I choose to live uncluttered♡
Time to focus on God’s call for my life! I am SO blessed to be the daughter of the King! Let’s see where He takes me! One thing I know is He wants it uncluttered!
Thank you for sharing.
My addiction to social media! It’s clutter!
With God’s Grace and Strength I am done with the clutter!
Thank you. I need to unclutter I need to be closer to.god that was a beautiful song thank you for sharing
Thank you. Relevant to my life and right on time.
Thank you so much. Perfect timing to what’s going on. i am done with clutter!
Thank you for your inspirational message. I’m done with the clutter and ready to spend more time with Jesus. I spend too much time in the what if’s, what should’s trying to handle things on my own and don’t spend enough time in God’s Word. Jesus, help me with uncluttering my life., help me to spend more time in getting to know you..
Thank you for the encouragement! Declutter for me includes too much television, and too little studying and praying.
Thank you…so very timely for me.
Thank you, Gwen. I need to get rid of the clutter of excess social media and email checking and spend more time on relationships.
I’m done with the clutter! I am letting emotions clutter my life. My husband has a lung diseasee and will have a lung transplant soon and being his caregiver 24/7 is very stressful emotionally at times. I take things he says the wrong way and end up getting upset. God, please take this clutter from my life.
Praying for you. Your story and your husbands illness spoke to my heart.
Love from MA.
So many distractins and clutter in our lives today! Thank you for the reminder that we only have to fix our eyes on Jesus in the midst of it all.
Your message flows thought my heart and so thankful for your message through technology! Your songs inspires me to seek God’s presence throughout my day! I am so thankful for your message to start my day in the prensence of our Lord! Amen! Amen!
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been in a season of decluttering. Uncluttering my world of material things as well as relationships and my heart. God has shown and prepared me to be equipped in this season. I know there is more life out there. Life of work for him. I’ve raised my family, and now sit in the big family home alone. I do enjoy my quiet comfortable home, however I feel there is something more. I’m learning to lean on him in this new season. I’m excited, ready, and just desire new and fresh. The Lord has already shifted me into new areas. I’m ready for his change. Thank you for the “Uncluttered” video. I shall revisit this during my season of purging.
Wow girl you can sang!!!! I have always loved reading your devotions, but this is the first time I have heard you sing. Glorious.
Thank you Gwen for sharing your gifts with the rest of us. We are blessed!
Hugs,
Diane
P.S. Your kids must have LOVED having you sing them to sleep. 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful, powerful song! I struggle daily with “clutter”, but arise each morning trusting God for his grace and mercies to guide me through. I’m done with clutter!
I really needed this today. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your daily encouragement. I’m becoming an uncluttered woman. To God be the glory.
Been working a long while at decluttering…..its hard…..but good. The song hits my heart spot on and is an.encouragement. thanks! Done with clutter.
I enjoy reading your materials. Thank you!
Wow! Thank you for your email! This is exactly what I have been dealing with. Clutter! Love your testimony about this and your song! I had to read and listen few times….Really touched my heart. I am thanking for I know he lead me to read this! Thank you for sharing this. I know it is helping many women and men. I know I have am more blessed because of what you shared! God Bless You Gwen You are a Blessing! I am Becoming an Uncluttered Woman!
Thank you Gwen! You helped me to realize I needed to ask God to forgive me for not using the time he gives me wisely and productively. I spend too much facebooking, reading emails, playing games and looking for stuff to buy on the internet. My life isn’t cluttered with outside work, assignments and engagements since he blessed me to be a stay home mom, but it is full of my selfish agendas. I know now that if I spend less time on these things, I can do more for Jesus. No more clutter!
Spot on‼️ I’ve been praying for exactly this. The Lord is Faithful. He’s Always right on time.
Reaching out to God is always the answer, I know this! I can relate alot to your story the twirling little girl to spin her skirt. What a winderful thought and the round about that took you for a spin of your life. The unclutted just seems to keep sticking around no matter what i do. Trying to be constant in my faith sometimes seems resilience and the focus gets clouded with laziness. Like ok God i see I know your here. What more do you want me to do? I know get off my tush migle more with other Christians, its hard for me. Ive got myself in a rut, jow appealing is that, not very appealing. Trying to climb out of this hole has been relentless, this is truth! The past 2 years job kicking , just trying to find that job that makes since with my life. Yeah its been long over due to unclutter this mess. I have a true love for God, just not deep enough! Constantly praying and reading just trying to connect the pieces!
Your inspirational messages pick me up & i feel good to go again. Thank you so very much, Hester from South Africa, 63 no credit cards, cannot buy online, just so very glad i stumbled on you site! i appreciate every word.