If you’re anything like me, the spring cleaning bug has hit you and you’re dreaming of clean closets, de-cluttered rooms, and everything organized and in it’s place. It’s a wonderful feeling when things are cleaned and organized, isn’t it?
De-cluttering the home takes a bit of time, doesn’t it? I know it does for me. It seems like I start one project and that one leads into another and then sometimes into yet another and before I know it, not only is the room I started on a mess, two other rooms of the house look the same way. (Anyone with me here?)
Just last week, I was able to go through my girl’s closets and dressers and we did get those areas cleaned out and organized, but it seemed like the piles of clothes we were giving away or saving for the younger child (we love to “shop” in our attic) took over the hallway and office before I knew it!
I won’t go on and on about de-cluttering your home as I’m sure there are many other detailed posts about this very topic.
Let’s talk instead about spring cleaning of the heart…
Yes, the heart.
Several weeks ago, one of our teaching pastors, Dave, was talking about forgiveness. He preached on the value of it, the dangers of unforgiveness, and then he asked the question…”do you have anyone you need to forgive today?”. Ugh…he did it. He made me squirm. I knew right away who I needed to forgive. The name sprang to my mind and I felt the weight of the Holy Spirit on me.
I confessed this need to forgive to my Bible study group a few days later and asked them to pray for me. They graciously all agreed and I’m certain they did because the peace I felt when I finally let go of the unforgiveness I had for this person was amazing.
Our hearts...they need cleaning out now and then. I know that when I am not paying close attention, things creep into my heart that don’t belong there. Things like bitterness, anger, frustration, anxiety, and yes, even unforgiveness.
Sometimes I realize it quickly and pray for God to release me from it and I ask forgiveness from Him for it, but other times it stays too long and I find myself speaking or acting in ways that reflect that very thing that is lodged in my heart.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34
Jesus was talking to the Pharisees here…and He did not mince His words. I know that my mouth sometimes speaks like that of a Pharisee and not of a believer. I am ashamed to admit that, but I also know that the Lord is changing me day by day and that change doesn’t come easily, nor does it come without a lot of constant prayer and consistent attention to the condition of my spiritual heart.
I pray that He will continue to dislodge bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, frustration, and envy from my heart every day.
It’s a good reminder for me to read this verse:
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV
Is there some spring cleaning to be done in your heart and home today?
What better time than today to look into your heart and ask the Lord what needs to be removed.
Forgiveness is freedom my dear Sisters in Christ! It is!
May the words of your mouth (and mine) reflect your heart and glorify the Lord today and always.
Be encouraged Sisters that the Lord loves and forgives us even as we forgive those who we need to forgive.
All my best to you,
