Spring Cleaning

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalms 51:10

      A popular method of cleaning house is to start with the areas people see first when entering your home. So I begin at the porch and then the entry way; moving from one room to the next. I usually leave the unseen areas like the closets and cupboards for the very last; many times not getting to them regularly at all. They are the places I cram and squeeze every item that doesn’t have a place of its own. It’s where I put the things I don’t necessarily want visitors to see; the unsightly things.

      It occurred to me today, as I was thinking about this (while cleaning of course) that God cleans house (spiritually) the opposite of this method. He isn’t as concerned about the areas people can see, He goes straight for the things hidden in the closet! He throws the door wide open and exposes them all, discards many into the trash, and puts the rest in order.

      I remember in one of Kay Arthur’s bible studies, she referred to a time when she had a group of ladies over and said to them, “Open the drawers- look around, this is who I am. What you see is what you get!” What I believe she was saying was, “I have nothing hidden in my life that I have not asked God to put in order.” Now that’s the way to live!

      I hope I will be brave enough to open the drawers of my life fully to Him and accept His order. As I finish cleaning my house, I pray that God will be at work with His spring cleaning in my heart; getting rid of the things I’ve hidden in the closets.

God Uses Mothers

God uses mothers as His own hands, to hold the baby tight,

And rock him gently in her arms, throughout a fussy night.

He uses her as His own eyes, to see his tender needs,

For love that’s unconditional, as patiently she feeds.

He uses her as His own voice, to speak of truths unknown,

To build his life on solid rock, until the time he’s grown.

He uses her as His own feet, to walk with Him each day,

And guide him on the narrow path, along God’s chosen way.

He uses her as His own ears, to hear him laugh and sing,

Listening to his gently prayers, as he calls upon the King.

A mother is God’s chosen one, for the child in her care,

And she’s been blessed because the Lord has placed the baby there.

As she serves the one on high, through motherhood’s demands,

May she realize that all her needs, are provided by His hands.

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Isaiah 54: 13

A Heavy Heart

      Last week our town was touched by an overwhelming number of suicides and attempted suicides. Families were left in despair as they sought to answer the question, "why?" But there were no answers, only more questions. There were two that touched my life more than the others because they touched the lives of people I know. As I watched the rippling effect of loss and suffering move through the families left with so many unanswered questions,  I heard God's word's of truth spoken within my spirit-

          "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

      I was reminded of the struggle we all face at low points in our lives. When we are overwhelmed and the enemy begins whispering his lies. I have been there myself at times, and I recognize his voice. They are his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy us. Jesus gives us this promise - "I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

       When we're feeling down and questioning the importance of our lives, may we be reminded of who we are to God and that He sent His Son to give us a life filled with abundance. An abundance of his love, joy, and peace.

A Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

      Depression fell on me like a heavy blanket. Not the warm and comforting kind, but one that pressed in and held me down. A crushing heaviness formed in my chest, pushing my heart up into my throat, making it hard to swallow. Dread of everything, yet nothing in particular. Anxiety flooded in bringing feelings of danger; but the enemy remained elusive, unidentified.

      Fear entered next, walking in the shadow of dread; arriving so closely together, giving the appearance that they were intimate friends. As I began to entertain them, even slightly, I fell deeper into despair. Forgetting that they had no real reason for being here, I imagined one.

      Before long there was a line of guest at my mind’s door waiting to get in; past failures, mistakes, shame, embarrassment, regret; they were all there. I recognized their gloomy faces, they had visited before. Feeling overwhelmed and outnumbered I turned to grasp at something that would break my fall as I went down into the pit of despair.

      It was then I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror on the wall, reminding me of who I am. There on top of my head sat a crown of purest gold my Father had given me when I was born into His family. My Father is a King. I did not wear a heavy blanket, but a beautiful white robe He had made for me out of someone else’s righteousness – His son’s. His name was written on my forehead, identifying me as His own, a reminder that I would always belong to Him.

      Thankfulness began to fill me, praise leaped from my lips at the thought of Him. I could hear his angels singing and I joined them. Soon the heaviness was gone, and in its place I wore a garment of praise. The reality of Him was stronger than imagination, and my unseen enemy fled. He could not stand in the presence of my Father’s glory; he could not tolerate His praise. Joy, peace, love, hope and gentleness became my new guests; forgiveness my closest friend. Mercy came and grace. They comforted me and restored me to my rightful place as a daughter of the King.

          “…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;..” Isaiah 61:3