Clean Sweep
copyright 2006, Lani Wiens
a fresh flowers original
Life has taken on a feverish pace lately. Between running back and forth to the farm, driving back and forth to school because the bus schedule wasn't up and running, getting kids registered in activities, writing articles, doing research and starting our home school activities, not to mention the regular cooking, cleaning, refereeing and laundry...I'm pooped!!
My house has taken the brunt of the neglect (I'm pretty sure it can handle neglect better than my kids can). In one of our late night phone conversations I was lamenting the mess to my husband. It's rather discouraging. His answer, "Turn all the lights off and leave them off as much as possible, if you can't see it maybe it won't be so bad."
"Sounds good," says I, "except for one tiny problem."
"What's that?" says he.
"That big old sun coming in the window tends to illuminate things," says I.
"Got a point there," says he.
"Besides that, it may be dangerous to try and get around in here in the dark." says I.
"Guess ya better call for help," says he.
The conversation made me think of my own heart. When I get busy doing all those things listed above I sometimes forget to clean up the messes in my heart. Angry words, disappointment, gossip, slander, jealousy, if you look you'll probably find those things lurking about in the murky recesses. I try hard to keep the Son from shining in and illuminating my mess, thinking it might not be so bad if no one can see it.
The trouble with that is, it's like my messy house. If I don't get it cleaned up it's going to be dangerous, not only to me but anyone who happens to walk in. They might trip over my anger or slip on my envy. I'd rather not have anyone fall over my discouragement and get a face full of jealousy.
Just like my house, I need to get out a broom and start digging into the corners. James declares that temptation left to itself will lead to sin and then to death. James also says that if we confess that sin it will be cleaned up by the best maid in the business, and the price has been paid. It's amazing how cleanliness in my physical house tends to keep me at peace. Cleanliness in my spiritual house keeps me at peace, too.
I believe it's time to get up and grab a broom.
5 comments:
very good flower :)
Thank you, love the way you put this one :)
Just curious...do you write devotionals?
I guess you could call my 'flowers' devotionals. It began as an e-mail thingy I sent out to some friends. There's a Yahoo Group that I have that is for fresh flower subscribers so they get the 'flowers' by e-mail as I write them, usually weekly. I have a book/journal that I self-published which has 31 flowers in it. I set up the blog so I'd have an archive of all the flowers in case my computer crashed.
I thought so...you seem to have a gift at looking at the natural and seeing God's supernatural lessons in it. You're inspiring...can't wait to meet you one day. Either on this side of heaven...or at the supper table of our Lord. {{Hugs!}}
I think maybe we'll recognize each other somehow! Who knows, maybe I'll sell thousands of copies some day and do a book tour and be in Louisiana!!! (or we could just meet somewhere half way) (or heaven sounds good)
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