Don't Neglect Your Closet

If there is one room in my house that I deeply value, it’s my closet.

No, not for the reasons you may think. In fact, with four children in a house in Westchester, NY, my Master closet was no more than two feet deep, resembling more of a coat closet. I can hear all husbands right now saying they want to move to Westchester. That is until they hear about the property taxes, but I digress.

It never occurred to me to love my closet in that season, because all I could do was peruse the daily outfit offerings, then just as quickly slide the door shut, pretending it wasn’t there.

With a small closet for most of our married life, I never appreciated it as a designated space for anything but storing clothes, shoes and accessories. However, now that we are in a suburban home in Texas, my closet has become a treasure. Though it remains humble in size, it is just large enough for me to visit at strategic times, to step away, and reflect.

My closet has become the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle of my home. The place set apart where I can dwell in the presence of God without distraction for a given time.

The floor is long enough for me to lie prostrate, allowing for desperate prayers to be whispered audibly in hopes of a timely answer.

Its space has allowed me to weep with uncontrollable grief at the news of my friend passing, or to close my eyes just long enough to stay out of sight of a passing child.

The width is deep enough for me to sit with bible in hand for a time, reading in solitude, wrestling with questions, or searching for direction.

The closet is dark enough for me to quiet my spirit and sit, as I longingly wait for the voice of God to speak more loudly than others.

It has served as a worship room for me to play songs that connect my heart more intimately to my Savior, praising Him for who He is and who He promises to be.

And, during private conversations with a friend, it has provided just enough secrecy to feel safe on both ends.

“There are times when solitude is better than company, and silence is wiser than speech.” - Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

I read this quote the other day, and just can’t seem to get it off my mind. Some words have a way of settling in deep and staying a while. Here is where I landed: Discernment seems to be the key for a sustainable life. If I’m being honest, it’s challenging for me to discern in the midst of chaos. Therefore, it serves me well to find a quite place to sit, ponder, pray and reflect.

We each need a closet.

I don’t mean a physical space with rows of hangers, but we need to create a space for each of these life moments to occur. Perhaps your closet is physically that space for your heart to talk with God, grieve, and rest, or maybe for you this space needs to be created elsewhere. A slow shower, a leisurely drive, or a reflective walk may all serve as a haven of solitude and silence.

There are times to be engaged and times to pull back. There are times to be apart of and times to distance from. Here is the necessary reminder that I’m telling myself today, both are OK. We could switch these nouns in different places and it would still be beneficial. There are times when company is better than solitude, and speech wiser than silence.

When I need to decide what is best, I go to my closet.

I’m praying for you to intentionally create space to just be this week. I’m praying that God would meet you there as you cry out to him, and that your time in silence and solitude refreshes you, preparing you for another day.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect your need for a closet.