Spring Cleaning

Not long ago, I made a startling realization. I was, perhaps, the last member of my family to make this discovery. One day while working in the kitchen beside my husband, I simply stated, "I'm a messy cook," to which he non-judgmentally replied, "Yeah, I noticed that."

And here began a discovery of deeper and greater proportion.

I love being a homemaker. I love caring for my men, creating a nest of comfort, cooking delicious meals, and decorating in ways that celebrate family and tradition. It's my heartbeat...what makes me tick.

I do not, however, enjoy cleaning. In fact, I put it off. I avoid it...sometimes at all cost. I fill my days with self-made distractions that will keep me from cleaning the bathroom. I avoid reaching into the far reaches of the refrigerator so that I don't pull out that unidentifiable fuzzy green "something" that we once called dinner. I've been known to "hide" clutter in a drawer or closet when company's coming. Oh sure, every once in a while I'll get a sudden burst of enthusiasm and tackle a cleaning project with gusto, but I've only recently become aware how habitually I put off cleaning in favor of something more desirable.

A couple of days ago I was struggling. There were relational issues whirling around in my heart and mind. Attitudes of selfishness and bitterness were taking root in my soul. I was feeling burdened by the "stuff" of life...the heartache of loved ones, the illnesses of dear friends and family, the unknown futures of others. I was feeling conflicted...restless...uneasy. Oh, I plowed through. I kept busy. All day long my heart was in turmoil. Would you believe it wasn't till almost 9:00 that night when I finally heard the still small whisper of my Savior calling me to come away with Him?

Uh-huh. I was doing it again. Just as I avoid cleaning my house, it seems I often avoid the cleansing of my soul.

God knows the real me...the real you. Psalm 51:6 says that He delights in truth in the inward being. Wow! There's no hiding the fuzzy green leftovers in the fridge from Him. He reaches into the inner recesses of our hearts and sees who we really are. He sees us with all our filth, all our sin...and He loves us anyway! As we humbly come before Him and allow Him to illuminate those areas of our hearts that are in such desperate disarray and cleaning...as we confess those sins to Him, He cleanses us! And that is joy inexpressible---even better than a sparkly, fresh pine-scented house!

And so today, I'm thanking God that He's in the business of cleaning. I'm thanking Him for His mercy and steadfast love that cleanses me, refines me, and purifies my heart.

Happy Spring Cleaning ~