I love me a clean house!

I admittedly confess my house is clean enough, but not the kind of clean my mom taught me. Those were the good ol’ clean days! Ahhh. We would empty all the cupboards regularly and wipe the shelves, sides, and doors. We also washed everything we’d taken out before filling the cupboards back up. Every Saturday morning, mom would open the balcony and the bedroom windows to let the fresh air crisp everything out. Floors were mopped and every surface polished. The house felt bright and the air smelled lemony. As a little girl, it seemed like it sparkled, and I pretended to be the princess of the palace. Cleaning was expected, but not the purging. We never de-junked. Then we moved, after 10 years. Imagine how difficult the job was after all those years of accumulation?!

Our homes aren’t the only things that need a good deep spring cleaning. Just like we only polished and let the air in on Saturdays, we often just make superfluous confessions in daily prayer, but seldom purge. I am reminded of this every time we share in The Lord’s Supper. Communion is a time for quiet reflection and allowing God to call to mind all that resides in our hearts that is far deeper than just beneath the surface. Why don’t I make this effort more often?

Our hearts don’t particularly look forward to the dreaded task, but repentance isn’t optional. Let’s make an effort to regularly bring our hearts to God for deep-purge cleansing.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 1:9

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

Psalm 51:10

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

with love, Damaris