Overflowing

Photo from Pixabay

Over the years, I've thought back many times to my Ancient History class from 9th grade.  And now, it really is ancient history!  The old building where I attended high school was woefully inadequate in many ways,  but it definitely had character.   Every classroom, as far as I know, had what was called a teachers' closet, where reference books, folders of worksheets, and much, much more resided.  Mrs. Potter's closet was literally overflowing.  When she opened the door to retrieve something needed during a lesson, items threatened to topple off the shelves and out the closet door.  Her desk top and desk drawers seemed much the same, but it was the closet that really stayed in my memory.

I was fourteen and not given to deep thinking.  But as the school year went by, I came to see Mrs. Potter's overflowing closet as analogous to her overflowing brain and cluttered memory.  Most of the time in that class it was just facts, facts, facts.  But at least once or twice a lesson, some fascinating historical tidbit would slip out and overflow into what she was teaching.  She had a soft, light voice and taught in a lecture format, with very little class discussion.  So it was easy to be lulled into sleepiness or daydreaming.  But then one would miss the good stuff!

I thought about that class again this morning.  In front of the chair where I most often have my quiet time, a footstool resides.  I don't think I have ever put my feet on it, but it tends to become a repository for my lap desk and current projects.  Last night I was tired and didn't take the time to put everything away that I might have.  So when I came to my chair in the early morning, this is what I saw:

Sorry for the photo quality.  Still dark outside and I took the photo with my Kindle.  But you get the picture!

Yes.  An overflowing footstool.  And as I looked at this pile of stuff, it occurred to me this is a good picture of my life right now.

Needlework project thumped on top right where I left it last night.  (This is destined to be a hot mat for my gift stash.)  You can tell I didn't work on this until the end of the day.

At the right, my grocery list waits to be filled in.

In the middle, the paper with the colorful striped edge is ten resolutions for caregivers.  Need to review that one often.

Under that, toward the bottom of the picture, with a small checkerboard edge showing,  is my weekly schedule.  Couldn't function without this comprehensive picture of my week.

To the left, my as-yet empty to-do list for the day.  This would be filled in as soon as I finish my Bible reading, study, and prayer time.

Under that, you can just see a list with a bit of blue showing at the top center of the photo.  That's my ongoing to-do list of tasks that need to be completed.

My Bible, notebook and prayer journal were waiting on a shelf to the side and of course I turned to them first.  Then I put away the needlework as I should have done last night.

So yes, a full-to-overflowing footstool.  And a full-to-overflowing plate.  But, just like staying awake in Mrs. Potter's history class was rewarded with an interesting historical nugget from time to time,  I know if I keep my priorities right and my eyes open, there will be blessings that overflow in the extreme busyness of life.  So I'm planning to pay attention.