Award-winning Publishers Weekly Best-selling Author

What if…we spring cleaned our hearts?

by | May 28, 2012 | , , | What If... | 8 comments

Angela stared at her messy closet. Mismatched shoes lay on the floor. Coats scrunched together like sardines. Books, papers, and boxes piled high on the top shelf caught her attention. She crossed her arms.

Where to begin?

She pulled a box down, but two others fell with it. A cloud of dust floated out. She sneezed.

Oh my.

“You know you’re going to have to pull everything out to clean that closet,” her husband said.

She bent over and threw papers back into the box. “I don’t have time to do that. I just need to reorganize. It will be fine.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Look at it. There’s dust everywhere. You need to gut it. Trust me. It’s the only way to clean.”

She sighed and put her hands on her hips.

Seriously?

Angela pushed a few coats aside and took a closer look. Shoe odour filled her nostrils. She jumped back.

Yup, he’s right. She glanced at her watch.

I can do this.

Have you ever tried to spring clean by just pulling a few things out of a closet or cabinet and dust around them? Come on, confess. We’ve all done it one time or another. We don’t have time to get to the root of the mess, so we put a band-aid on hoping it will take care of things.

What happens when we do that?

Everything crumbles apart and falls out. The smell doesn’t go away because we haven’t cleaned from the inside out, but the outside in.

I realize we’ve been experiencing summer-like weather, so we’re no longer thinking about spring cleaning, but perhaps we should. Our hearts, that is.

Have you spring cleaned your heart this season? Truly dug deep into how you approach situations, respond to criticism, love and treat people, TV shows we watch, books we read, etc. Maybe we need to take a closer look.

Let’s pull them all out one by one, and wash them with soap and water—prayer and God’s word. Is there something we need to confess? Someone we need to face and say “I’m sorry” to?

Anything we need to purge and get rid of? Bitterness, anger, contempt? Let’s wash it with joy, love, and kindness.

What if we spring cleaned our hearts? We would become pure vessels, ready to do God’s good work.

How about we get out our mops and dust rags, and start cleaning? Let’s purge our hearts.

Just think how squeaky clean we’ll be!

2 Timothy 2:21-22 (NIV)

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

8 Comments

  1. Loretta Eidson

    Darlene, I chuckled as I read today’s blog. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve tried to stack and re-stack junk in my closet. I can relate so well. The heart is the same way, been there, done that. It feels so refreshing to sweep every corner of our lives and let the Son shine in.

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      I think we would all have to confess to doing that from one time or another…in both our homes and hearts. You’re right, it is refreshing to do a thorough clean. Hard, but good. Thanks for following!
      Darlene

      Reply
  2. Steph

    As I was saying before my computer spontaneously rebooted itself…(it does that sometimes)…I don’t do well in the spring cleaning department, but I accept your challenge to examine my heart. Good stuff, Dar!

    Reply
  3. Diane Spearing

    Wow Dar it’s like you were here watching me….. I must publicly tell you that you truly are an inspiration to me. Your writing is so so heart felt and so full of God’s truths. Thank you so much for spending the time on your writing for all to benefit. You are such a blessing. Luv ‘ya.

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Hi Di! Thanks for your comments. You are so sweet. Your encouragement means the world to me. Love you girlfriend. xo
      Dar

      Reply
  4. Heather.

    So true! How good we feel when our environment is clean and orderly, but so freeing when our hearts are the same and we share His love. Great analogy. 🙂

    Reply
    • Darlene L. Turner

      Thanks Heather. Spring cleaning is tough on both accounts, but necessary! It’s how we grow. God bless!
      Darlene

      Reply

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