Thursday, September 9, 2010

My dear God,

I love to clean my house, Wondrous God, running the sweeper, dusting, and cleaning toilets and tubs. I love the feeling of cleanliness beneath my feet and a pleasant view of loveliness. As I walk through my clean home, I feel good.

As I write this, I think about my need to be regular about cleaning my soul. Periodically (at the least) I need to run a white glove test on my conscience. I need to see where dust and clutter have built up. I need to check for a sluggishness of saying I'm sorry, please forgive me, or I forgive you. I need to search for hidden darkness that threatens my light. I need to check in with you.

When I conclude my "test" I have the opportunity to clean things up. I can sweep out any debris from conflict, run the hose to take down the cobwebs that form when I fail to move toward wholeness, or open the windows to let the light of Christ shine in revealing the state of my soul. When I take the necessary steps to rid myself of anything holding me back from doing your will, I feel great, clean, joyous, peaceful and full of hope. I start anew, you and I walking into the future no longer bogged down by sin, disappointment, hurt, anger or darkness.

Cleanse my soul,
dearest God,
of all
that is broken,
dirty or rotten;
mend my ways,
renew my ability
to swiftly
remove anything
that stands
between us.
Heal me
and restore me,
I pray;
release me
to sing
your praise.

Love, Andrea