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
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.
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
3 comments:
I'm not a clean freak and can let some things slide, then I get an URGE that I need to clean. It does feel good to my spirit to do some cleaning projects, especially if there is much in life I can not control. I have a mental list for specific areas in the house that I want to attack this winter. But GREAT reminder about the spiritual house cleaning need.
I wish I could be more disciplined about this (as I blow the dust off my computer). Thanks for inspiring me to try...soon. I promise, soon.
I like this:
"To empty completely my self from myself. To make more room for God...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."
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