Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Warmer weather here in Ohio invites me to scrub, scour, and sort.  I love having the windows open for the fresh air, but then notice the smudges and spots from winter on the glass.

I emptied cupboards, reorganized shelves, and even washed the outside windows. The silver tea service I inherited from my mother is buffed and polished. The house is beginning to shine.

That is not all. I even have a dental appointment this week to get my teeth cleaned. Sparkling though and though, right?

Yesterday I tackled the first batch of weeds in the flower gardens.  Looks like we have lost two of my rose bushes this year. But then again, that means some fun time shopping in the garden section where I am sure I will find more than just roses.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Inside the house work.  Outside the house work.  Then I felt God say to me quietly – how about inside your heart? What inside – inside of you – needs some touch up work?

• Clutter! What heart clutter do I need to eliminate?  

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31.

Ok, time to dispose of my judgmental and sarcastic attitude. Help me to let go of old habits and sinful ways, Lord. I have been writing a lot about my poor attitude in my journal. Periodically I review what I write there, highlighting what I have learned and what I think God is showing me – I call it harvesting my journal.  Time to conduct a spring harvest and ask God to show me the next step in this chipping away of what does not belong and transforming my heart more like His.

•  Take off the winter blankets and put away the heavy wool afghans.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us– Hebrew 12: 1.

I will spend more time in prayer listening than rambling on with my needs. Lord, open my heart to hear your word anew. Only in You do I find freedom.

Edward Hays writes:

The Japanese have a centuries old ritual called Waraiko they use to greet a new year and to celebrate birthdays. The ritual consists of giving three hearty belly laughs! The first robust laugh is of gratitude for the previous year just ended. The second hearty laugh is in gratitude for being given a new year of life to enjoy. The third is a really full-bodied belly laugh, since it is to blow the dust off your mind, heart, and soul. Dust? The dust of habit and routine that slowly accumulates like all dust, causing the soul to lose the luster of its youthful vitality.

I think three belly laughs will do the soul a great spring cleaning!

• Dust those cobwebs out of the corners of my mind.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

Colossians 3:16a.

I want to pay closer attention to God’s word by finding a new Bible Study to dig into this spring. We’ve been talking at Sunday School about learning more about Daniel. Lord, awaken me when I read your word and give me new eyes like I am hearing it for the first time.

• Dig up the dead weeds and replant.

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6.

I choose You, Lord, rather than my self-destructive habits of discouragement and self-pity. May seeds of hope, faith, and love be nurtured in my heart this season, Lord.

•  Throw open the windows, welcoming fresh air.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, 
our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Psalms 126:2.

I breathe in the refreshing breezes of gratitude.  You have done great things for me, Lord, thank you. My heart leaps with joy and I count the many ways You have blessed me. Your Spirit fills my heart and guides my path.

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

Psalm 51:10

Have you begun your spring cleaning yet? How will you renew yourself spiritual this season?