The start of a new year is always a special time for me. I take the opportunity to clean out drawers and cabinets, tossing out all the clutter that has accumulated — you know, the things you think you’ll use but never actually do. I go through sock drawers and my closet, sorting out the clothes that don’t fit quite right, and I read old cards and notes, reflecting on the beauty of friendships and the love of family. 

This year, in addition to the decluttering activities, I set aside some time to mentally review 2025 and do a little mental housecleaning. There were some attitudes and behaviors I needed to wrestle with, a few neglected and broken relationships to assess, and unfulfilled dreams that needed to be evaluated—taking a look at them through the lens of God’s best for my life. It was a moment of personal declutter and a reset of my priorities.

During my house deep cleaning, I realized I’m a collector of many things—those plastic containers blueberries come in, egg cartons, and tiny twisty ties from the produce section. You never know when you’ll need these items. But let’s be honest, I’ll always have an endless supply of these treasures. It’s okay to let them go.

Then there’s the mental baggage I uncovered—guilt over angry words, impatient responses, or my tried-and-true desire to control the smallest details and the not-so-small circumstances outside my sphere of influence.

Through this cleaning process, I was reminded that holding onto physical stuff takes up way too much space. It clutters closets and wastes room that could serve a better purpose. Similarly, clinging to mental garbage keeps me from experiencing God’s joy—a position Satan would love for me to stay in.

This new year proved to be a wonderful opportunity to reassess, refocus, and close some doors on bad thinking that I had left open for far too long.

I read a story in the Bible I’ve read many times before: the story of Noah and the ark. But this time, one sentence really caught my eye:

“On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind, and every bird according to its kind—everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.” (Genesis 7:13-16)

Take a moment to reread the very last sentence: “Then the Lord shut him in.” The Lord closed the door—Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives, the animals, all the provisions they would need—secure against the storm. 

God closed the door, not Noah or his sons, but the mighty hand of our Father. He sealed it against all the chaos and sin of that time. He sealed it from the pending disaster that surrounded them. God shut the door because it was time for Noah and his family to move on, start fresh, refocus.

I believe that was God’s message to me as I sorted through my mental trash—daughter, I’m closing the door on the clutter that distracts you, causes anxiety, and brings despair. I will provide everything you need. I will direct the course of your tomorrows. You can move forward, leave behind all that causes you to stumble, just trust me.

Maybe there’s some housekeeping you need to do this year—discard the things that clutter your life that keep you bound and broken. And perhaps God will encourage you to close a few doors you’ve left propped open. As you step into 2026, consider the power and love of our Father.

I read that the ark was about one and a half football fields long, and its door was about 50 feet wide. Now, imagine trying to close such a massive door. Then try to put your head around the fact that God alone closed the door—no cranes, no hydraulics, just His power.

God is capable of everything, even helping you release the things you’re holding tight. I want to encourage you—let Him close the necessary doors in your life. As He does, draw near, trust, and wait to see what unfolds. His joy, peace, and unconditional love are waiting just around the corner.

Be blessed,

Allison