Columnists, Opinion, Teri Lynne Underwood
 By  Teri Underwood Published 
4:19 pm Wednesday, September 27, 2017

On bookshelves and priorities

Earlier this week I spent the day with one of my dearest friends. She recently moved into a new house and asked me to help with styling the massive built-in bookshelves in her home. Since this is one of those things I absolutely love to do, I eagerly said yes.

When I arrived at her home, I noticed she had placed a few things on the shelves, but there didn’t seem to be any design or focus – just items sitting on shelves. As she assured me I could move or remove anything she had done, I began sorting through the books and other items she had set aside to place on the shelves.

As we emptied the space, I was reminded how nice it can be to start with a blank slate. We slowly categorized and prioritized what she had selected to go on the shelf. Along the way, we identified some other things that might enhance the space.

The whole process made me think about how easy it is for us to fill the space in our lives with whatever is handy, giving no thought to the bigger picture.

We say yes more than we say no. We pile on expectations and obligations without counting the cost. We fill our days with activities but never find our true purpose.

As we carefully added each item to the bookshelves at my friend’s house, I realized how important it is to take the same care as we add items in our lives – not just appointments on the calendar but even the attitudes and emotions we allow in our hearts and minds.

Perhaps, what we all need sometimes is a big emotional and mental purge. We need to take time to remove all the clutter and junk that collects dust in our lives and sort it out with the intention of clarifying what matters and what doesn’t.

This isn’t a quick process, and it might not be the easiest thing we do. But imagine taking the time to evaluate all of your commitments and asking yourself, “Is this how God would have me spend my time?” or “Is this a way I can bring glory to God or serve others?”

Maybe we need to look at all the stuff in our emotional junk drawer.

Perhaps you’ve been holding on to some bitterness or anger or resentment, and it’s time to put those things in the trash and replace them with forgiveness and gratitude.

It is never a waste of time to evaluate our hearts and identify the stuff we’ve piled into our minds. In fact, it’s quite possibly one of the best ways we can invest in ourselves.

The bookshelves at my friend’s new house turned out great (if I do say so myself). We arranged the books and photos and other items carefully to reflect her family and their priorities, and we left enough space to allow her to add new things that mean something to her.

And it made me think it might be time to do some rearranging and prioritizing in my heart and mind as well.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025