I’ve always wanted a walk-in closet. The idea of having more space to store and organize my latest bargains has always seemed pretty electrifying (yes, I shop from the sales rack and hunt for the cute blouses at Target!). Plus, it would mean I had a reason to buy more wooden hangers from IKEA that I could use to meticulously line blouses and skirts from light to dark (because wire hangers are only meant to be used when you’re bringing clothes home from the cleaners and a color-coded wardrobe is something like a necessity). Over the years, God has blessed me with several walk-in closets (not in the same house of course…I’m still working my way to Carrie Bradshaw closet status). And while I’m nowhere near a shopaholic, I can say that I’ve managed to accumulate a variety of style options for my wearing pleasure. But, never did I suspect I’d find a little wisdom in my wool with a side of peace in my polyester.
There was a time in my life where I would spend a significant part of my evenings trying to figure out what I was going to wear the next day. I would literally stand in my closet and stare at the multitude of patterns with angst. How could someone with so many options never have anything to wear? It always seemed like such a small thing that could easily be handled, but yet the outfits just weren’t coming together. The thought of obsessing over something so trivial became tiresome and old very quickly. I was at a stage in my life where I was no longer going to be consumed by anything that detracted from my positive energy. I figured since I was putting that concept into practice in all other areas of my life, why wouldn’t it be applicable for fashion too? So, one day I simply stopped planning and set my closet before God. For those who are structured, organized, and always looking for ways to maximize time, this probably sounds…well…different. It was difficult for me to put this into action because I’d spent so much of my life worrying about things that honestly didn’t increase my success by leaps and bounds but instead made me more anxious. The moment when I decided I was going to let God take control of even the simplest decisions like florals or stripes, I could really just let go and live. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve planned an outfit the night before. I literally wake up every morning and I get the vision for what I’m going to wear. I feel like I have a personal, anointed stylist who just waits for me to wake up and walk into what He has designed for the day (waves hands…I feel another post coming on from that point!).
The lesson in all of this is that it’s so easy to try to plan everything about life and think that God has no interest in the small things. But, any time you fully commit your cares and concerns to God, you’ll never turn up void. So, whether you have to surrender your wardrobe, your career, your fitness plan, your relationships, or your grocery list to Him, you can rest assured knowing He is committed to taking care of all things…even what you consider to be the small things. For if you can let go of the small things, you make room in your closet and your life for bigger things.
Bella Reese 