Everything in its place is a book of essays by Oliver Sacks, but it is also a phrase you hear often in organizations and households. Suzy and I go back and forth whenever a new item arrives at our home. One or both of us will say, “Where are we going to put it,” and unless it’s a new pair of socks or a bottle of wine the answer is not readily apparent.
The phrase “everything in its place” is usually about objects. The phrase “in his or her place” has a different connotation. That latter phrase implies that each of us has a “place” a “station” in life, and we shouldn’t attempt to rise above or fall below our “place.” I was reminded of this when I watch Ken Burns’ special about country music and one episode is titled “Don’t get above your raisin’.”
Where it is a positive thing for everything to have a place. I like a clean desk when I’m working. I am just as sure that people should not have “places” or shouldn’t get above their “raisin.” God wants us to seek out his plan for each of us, and in most cases his plan is not about “places” or “stations.”
Do we really want to live in a world where we have classes and barriers? I surely don’t.
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