Fall Cleaning

My mom taught me that one should do a thorough cleaning of the house twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. Hmmm.

I do not always follow that advise (neither does she) but every now and then I actually make an attempt and sometimes get a good deal accomplished.

Interesting - my mom recently wrote a blog titled Is Cleaning House Actually Important? and started me to thinking about why I clean house. I was happy to discover it was for the right reasons - according to my mother's blog. I clean because I like my surroundings to be serene and beautiful.

I also realized that the time of year is here and I have found myself cleaning house, really cleaning house, even before my dear mom posted her blog. I have been cleaning drawers and cabinets, sorting through pictures and papers, and even cleaning my computer. (What have we come to in this century? I have to CLEAN my computer??)

I spent a little time thinking about what it actually means to clean or to be clean. And I wondered what it was this fall that was driving me to clean. Like I said, I do love to have my surrounding serene and beautiful. But the motivation is deeper than just that.

Clean

Verb:
To remove unwanted substances from; as in dirt or filth
Remove all contents or possession from
Empty completely

Adjective:
To free from dirt or impurities

Remove unwanted substances.

This resonates with me.

Unwanted cellulite? Yes! It certainly explains the recent surge of healthy diet and exercise. I have renewed my love of tofu and the smell of the gym when I walk in is exhilarating.

Remove all possessions from.

I am driven by this statement.

Painful photographs. Letters that hurt to read. Gifts and jewelry that no longer hold any value. Removed. Paperwork that I no longer need. Why DO I hang on to a Bible Study that I taught 10 years ago?

Empty completely.

Oh, yes. I am ready.

To empty completely my self from myself. To make more room for God. So I make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. To clean. To discover what works in my life and what is no longer useful or necessary. Being aware of what I did yesterday that can help me understand and accept who I am today, so tomorrow I can become the person God wants me to be...who I want to be.

Clean.

Adjective:

Morally pure; "led a clean life".

It's time for a little fall cleaning.

Serene and beautiful are the results.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.