Bonnie Gray
  • Stories
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Breathe Podcast
  • Books
    • See All Bonnie Gray Books and Resources
    • Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less
    • Sweet Like Jasmine
    • Whispers of Rest Book
    • Finding Spiritual Whitespace
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact

Never Too Late to Make Room For New

By Bonnie Gray • September 28, 2009 • 22 Comments

Some people like spring cleaning.  Me? I like to clean in the fall.

Maybe it’s watching how the leaves start fading into melancholy orange-yellows or feeling the air bite crisp and chilly in the mornings that injects the urge to clear out space.

I suspect it has something to do with getting sweaters inventoried and resurrecting comfy old jeans.  As I turn from making lemonade to stocking up on honey and chamomile tea, each autumn ritual reminds me winter is coming.

Not only will I need the space for new books for cozy reading  and holiday cards, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. The house needs to get decluttered, after summer survival break with the kids at home.

As a recent mom of two, I’ve acquired a gazillion number of new things to store and put away.

As a recovering pack rat, however, I’m faced with the final frontier of purging what isn’t needed any longer.

It turns out, the closets in my home aren’t the only places I’m finding cluttered.

God’s been urging me to clear out things I’ve let gather dust in the cramped quarters of my heart.

Sometimes I take them out, brush off the cobwebs and peer into what might have been.

I’ve got some old, worn rags called sorrows and hurts that I hang onto, not knowing how to let them go.

On the shelves of shattered dreams, I continue to ask God, “Why?” and “When?”.

Sometimes, in order proceed onto a new path, we need to leave what’s familiar behind.

I’m currently trying on some new attitudes, and I’m finding it is easy to end up back where I was, with old habits.

But, I’m not turning back. I don’t want to go back to the way I was.

Jesus doesn’t condemn me.  He doesn’t hold regret either.

He waits patiently and assures me, It’s never too late, Bonnie.

Jesus answered and called me to lay down yesterday and make room for new blessings.

“No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”  ~ Jesus (Luke 5:36-38)

Faith waits for me to clear out the clutter to receive what God has in store:  abundance, fulfillment, and joy.

As we enter into a season of toasty fireplace evenings, let’s pack some old things still stored in our closets.

New wine is waiting to be poured into our lives.

Newness will enter, one faith change at a time.

Will you excuse me now? I need to go clean out my closets.

 

What is something new God is pointing you towards?

How Is God calling you to make room for something new?

Today marks the first post in a series titled, "What's New With You?".
Be sure to catch the entire series:
Introduction:  Your Best Days Are Ahead Of You
Part 2:  Faith Isn't Sci-Fi:  Change Takes TIme
Part 3:  Sink or Swim, God's Love Won't Quit
Part 4:  A Faith Intervention
Part 5:  The Bloom of Becoming
Part 6:  The Beauty Of Whitespace
Would you join me and share what new things God is doing in your life? 
Please comment.  
It would be wonderful to be encouraged by sharing in your current faith walk.
Your experience would weave fellowship into my spirit.
Subscribe now.
Receive this series directly in your mailbox via email (click here) or RSS (click here) news reader.
renewal

Share With Others

Share Your Voice

Pull up a Chair

This is a quiet space for you and me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Click to comment »

22 Comments

Get Faith Shots

Get each post served up hot and fresh in your mailbox.

[newsletter_signup_form id=0]

Tenth Avenue North: Love Is Here.
Faith Isn't Sci-Fi: Change Takes Time

Connect with Me

Bonnie Gray

Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

You Might Also Like

  • { Soul Rest Sunday } This is the Way, Walk In It

  • Torn Between My Heart and My Head

  • Dare To Be Who God Made You

  • Facing What You Fear To Live A Significant Life

22 Comments

  • Reply Russell Holloway September 28, 2009 at 1:45 am

    Thank-you Bonnie,

    We sure wish we had some of that fall weather down here in Florida. It is hot as a oven, still.

    Our Father is pointing me toward repentance at the moment. Life has become increasingly about me the last few weeks, with the predictable, negative consequences . . . Time to start over . . . Again 🙂

    Thankfully we have a Father who loves us dearly, a Father of ten thousand second-chances…

  • Reply Kristine McGuire September 28, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Thank you! I think you have expressed perfectly what I love about this time of year…and what God has been speaking to my own heart for a number of weeks.

  • Reply Tweets that mention Never Too Late to Make Room For New | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com September 28, 2009 at 7:55 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by MakeADifferenceToOne and Bonnie Gray. Bonnie Gray said: New Post: It's Fall & I'm Getting Rid of Clutter http://bit.ly/NkURB Never Too Late To Make Room For New […]

  • Reply Genny September 28, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Bonnie,
    Thanks for the inspiration! It is finally feeling like fall here today! 🙂
    Genny

  • Reply Bridget Chumbley September 28, 2009 at 10:32 am

    It’s never too late…

    I needed to read this today, Bonnie. (what else is new, right?) 🙂

    Thank you!!

  • Reply Heather Sunseri September 28, 2009 at 10:40 am

    I love the words, “It’s never too late.” Thank, God, right? Also, “Sometimes, in order proceed onto a new path, we need to leave what’s familiar behind.” I think God wants us to put ourselves out there and to be out of our comfort zones. That’s when our faith grows. I love this post, Bonnie, an I’m looking forward to more in the series.

    Heather

  • Reply *Michelle* September 28, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Oh this is just what I needed to read today…..I just posted last week about me being a new chapter in life and how I am reacting to it all……

    I love how you comforted my soul with Jesus’s reassurance of it never being too late…and I also love how I trust that God will meet us where ever we are, however we are……but loves us enough to not keep us there.

    xox
    *~Michelle~*

    ps. I just dove into fall cleaning and decorating myself this weekend! YAY!

  • Reply Billy Coffey September 28, 2009 at 11:11 am

    I just started getting my sweaters out over the weekend, culling the Keeps from the Giveaways. I like this purging, too. Makes me feel lighter.

    Great post, Bonnie.

  • Reply Anne Lang Bundy September 28, 2009 at 11:57 am

    I’ve been turning this corner for so long I feel I’ll never see fully around it. I keep going.

    Autumn is a good time to remember that even in the changes which seem to bring death, there is color, and harvest, and promise of rest.

  • Reply Ginny (MAD21) September 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    I’ve reached that threshold of when your kids are old enough to start going to school. I am kind of at that place where I’ve got some choices about how I want to spend my time.

    After praying for months, I decided to quit my part-time teaching job. This decision is so hard, but I know it’s the right one because of the doors that God has opened for me in the last few weeks. “Walking by faith and not by sight…”

    It’s easy to talk about leaving the past behind. But since the past is what makes us who we are, that can be quite difficult. As you said, that is where faith comes in again.

  • Reply Sarah Salter September 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    Recently I was watching the leaves fall and this verse from John 12 came to mind: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” The dying process is painful. And to be honest, I’m going through that process right now in areas of my life. But as my flesh dies and the sins and sorrow die, they drop as seed into the ground so that when spring comes, they’ll bear fruit. Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder, Bonnie!

  • Reply Chris Sullivan September 28, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Don’t think I’ll be getting ready for fall any time soon over here. In fact, I didn’t bring any sweaters or jackets with me.

    God has already brought me a long way to get me here in the DR and not in an office somewhere back in the States. What is he preparing me for now? Only he knows. Will I be playing baseball? Working for a Church? Going to seminary? Working for a baseball team? Back in the DR? Something I’m not even thinking about right now?

    Right now he is working my complacency out of me so that the old doesn’t creep out of the closet and show itself again. When we let our guards down and think we have won, we open ourselves up to fall into the same old things we thought we defeated.

  • Reply Bonnie Gray September 28, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks for all your comments, sharing your thoughts in the moment.

    They are a welcome breeze, adding lift to my sails, to encourage me in my experience of letting something new into my life.

    @Russell: “Time to start over”. We are doing the hard work of entering into God’s rest. “Thankfully, we have a Father.. of 10K second changes.. ” Amen. There can be no other way.

    @Kristine: How nice to have God speaking in such a season as this. Thanks, Kristine.

    @Genny: Yep, I’ve been waiting for quite some time, too.

    @Bridget: Nothing new here! 🙂

    @Heather: “Out of our comfort zones” Oh, yeah. I’m feein’ it! 😉 I agree — “It’s never too late” are wonderful words to hear from a friend such as Jesus.

    @Michelle: Thanks, Michelle! Sounds like we were busy bees this past weekend. I’ll have to catch up on your post last week.

    @Billy: “culling” is a great word to add to this fall and soul activity, Billy. “Lighter” is a great feeling.

    @ Anne: What an apt illustrative phrase, Anne! “turning this corner so long, I’l never see fully around it. I keep going.”

    @Ginny: Praise God He has opened some doors, just enough for you to let go of your PT teaching job, Ginny! Oh, yeah, the past is both friend and foe. God, give us wisdom to exercise the difference.

    @Sarah: Yes, I read your post on the trees’ branches that reach out .. beautiful. The promise of spring – it’s a remindful encouragement, Sarah. Thanks!

    @Chris: That is so awesome you’ve got your eye on the prize, Chris – the one God has put in front of you in this moment. Great thoughts. Thank you!

  • Reply Faith Isn’t Sci-Fi: Change Takes Time | Faith Barista September 30, 2009 at 12:13 am

    […] New With You?", where I explore some new changes God is pointing me towards. Be sure to catch Part 1: Never Too Late To Make Room For New Would you faith walk with me? Please comment. It would be wonderful to be encouraged by sharing in […]

  • Reply Doug Spurling September 30, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    “On the shelves of shattered dreams, I continue to ask God, “Why?” and “When?”
    Sometimes, in order proceed onto a new path, we need to leave what’s familiar behind.”

    For many years I’d jump first and figure out how to land as I fell. That has changed. Now I learn to fly before I jump. That’s good in some ways, bad in others. Due to past crash landings and becoming familiar and comfortable with my now, I’m tempted to relax and let others jump.
    But, your post stirred some leaves ready to fall. It’s not new things God is pointing me to but some old dreams that have sat on the shelf so long I’ve tired of asking “Why?” and “When?”

    Thanks Bonnie, think I’ll jump out of this familiar nest, stretch my wings and go for a fly.

  • Reply Bonnie Gray September 30, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    @Doug: Wow, Doug. I hope you go for it! Whatever it is, when you are ready, let me know, okay? Because I will pray for you and encourage you in it. Life is short. If God is stirring you to stop asking why and when about an old dream, I pray He won’t stop until you’re moved. 😉 From one crash landing survivor to another.

  • Reply Sink or Swim, God’s Love Will Not Quit | Faith Barista October 1, 2009 at 12:20 am

    […] post is Part 3 in a series titled, "What's New With You?". Be sure to catch: Part 1: Never Too Late To Make Room For New Part 2: Faith Isn't Sci-Fi: Change Takes TIme Will you faith walk with me? Please comment. It […]

  • Reply Traci October 3, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Hey there! Your blog is beautiful and so is your heart for God.

    Come join us this weekend over at my blog for Weekend Wisdom and Worship- Week 1! Check it out, I know you’ll like it. Let us encourage the body of Christ together.

    Nice to meet you new friend!

  • Reply The Bloom of Becoming | Faith Barista October 6, 2009 at 11:17 am

    […] We’ve been talking a lot about newness and how beautiful it is to reach for it, in our steps of faith. […]

  • Reply Bonnie Gray October 7, 2009 at 9:34 am

    @Traci: Thanks for stopping by, Traci, and dropping a pointer to your blog. “Let us encrourage the body of Christ together.” Amen! Keep on encouraging!

  • Reply Are You Spoken For? A Child’s Love Song To Daddy | Faith Barista October 9, 2009 at 12:28 am

    […] we wrap up our series What’s New With You?, I’d like to end on a sentimental […]

  • Reply The Best Of Faith Barista 2009: The Top 10 | Faith Barista January 10, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    […] 3. Never Too Late to Make Room For New […]

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG

Sign up to refresh your soul with God’s love and rest. I’ll send you encouragement to nurture your heart and wellbeing. I’ll cheer you on!

SUBSCRIBE NOW»

Pull up a chair. Refresh your soul. Be inspired with soul care, stories & encouragement here. Breathe. This is a quiet space to swap some stories. Share your journey. Be the beloved. Be you. Serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
Bonnie Gray

“Bonnie has often led the way to freedom and truth by going there first herself. Her ability to invite us in as readers into our own stories only makes this world a better, more healed place.” 

– Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

“If you’ve ever been weary and needed room to breathe, then Bonnie Gray is the guide you’ve been looking for as you journey with Jesus to a new place of peace and freedom in your life.” 

Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Powerful Power of Introverts

Order Now »

LISTEN TO BONNIE’S BREATHE PODCAST

VOTED 2022 CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FINALIST BY ECPA

“In a world crying out for kindess and belonging, this is a book needed for our times. Sweet Like Jasmine is a gift, a beautiful remembrance, that God treasures each of our broken hearts in His sweeping story of redemption.” 

– Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way

Order Now »

BONNIE IS A TRUSTED VOICE TO SO MANY – FEATURED ON

Archives

Compassion International Blogger

Compassion International Blogger

Sometimes it takes more faith for us to enter into a child's story than simply praying that it changes. Experience these stories unscripted.

Read the stories»

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Instagram RSS Pinterest
Bonnie Gray

Contact

© 2018 Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved. Website by Contemplate Design | Privacy Policy
Bonnie Gray
  • Stories
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Breathe Podcast
  • Books
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact