HOUSE CLEANIN' TIME

Have mercy upon me, O God, according

to Your loving kindness; according

to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:1,2

When I begin to look at the coming days of Spring, my mind goes back as a young girl to what I would consider to be my absolute “nightmare city.” Great plans were always made in anticipation of the spring housecleaning that was to be done. We did things then that rarely if ever are done in our present day.

Our housecleaning meant taking things out of the house, into the yard to give certain items the beating of their lives. Throw rugs were thrown over clotheslines and with some kind of wire racket, were beaten until there was no dust left to fly into the air. Organdy curtains were taken off the windows, gently washed and stretched on special racks, putting them in the sunshine to dry. Windows were cleaned inside and out, the outhouse in the backyard got a good cleaning and the kitchen was dismantled so as to clean every nook and cranny of just about every available space.

I was recently reminded of a phrase in Scripture that referred to God's cleansing of our sins. Our mandate is to repent and God will do the cleaning. We often think of repentance being reserved for the unsaved but not so. Believers need to be alert to having a repentant spirit before the Lord. Perhaps at times, there might need to be an in-depth cleaning of saved- up dirty sin. I must say that back then, when finished, our house sure smelled good and fresh. Perhaps with a spiritual housecleaning, we would know more of that sweet aroma of Christ that we can share with the world around us.

Father, clean me up. I'm so sorry for my sin and the times I disappoint you. I want to live a clean life for Your honor and glory. Thank You for Your love and power that are sustaining and ever available. In Jesus' name...Amen