Room by room, Mary took me through the house. We reached up into the corners to knock down cobwebs with a broom covered in a dust cloth. We dusted the high shelves no one could see, we vacuumed and reached way under the beds for dust bunnies. The blissful lemon Pledge with its spray, “psssshhhh,” gently fell like a light snow in scented droplets on the wooden coffee table. Spraying it end to end on the even longer dining room table followed by careful polishes of the softest cloth was almost a reward. Eventually I passed my sister’s inspections and soon cleaned on my own with no big sister saying see this, notice this, see, see? I saw a difference in the before and after in this house that originally looked fine when I knew nothing. The carpet that was mashed was now standing up from a thorough vacuuming. Glass mirrors and vases sparkled. The piano had no fingerprints. Rooms smelled fresh. In due season, I helped with spring and fall cleaning which included stripping old wax from wood and linoleum floors and applying the hard gloss finish and protective shield of Glo-Coat. Wall and window washing were also part of the spring and fall cleaning list. Practical life skills about getting rid of dirt were learned during those early cleaning years. The cycle of dirt is constant, and the cleaning cycle needs to match it. Cleaning a house room by room is a picture of how I am a house that begs cleaning every day. The Lord cleanses from all unrighteousness as far as the east is from the west, so far has he
removed our transgressions from us. (See Psalm 103:12.) I ask Christ to complete his perfect work in me, to wash me and I shall be whiter than snow as Psalm 51:7 describes. My soul won’t thrive when the dust of doubt and fear accumulate and cloud my vision of God. Bad attitude, may your stench be sterilized and replaced by an aroma of serving which is pleasing to Jesus. Bored apathy, be swept away and exchanged for earnest caring. Laziness, to the curb with you. I choose to praise God, trust and obey. For all my blind spots, shake me with a cleansing prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24) After hours of scrubbing and dusting in the house, the last part of my job was to take all the trash outside to the waste bin, throw it in and listen to the lid crash closed singing, “You did it, you are done for today!” That was a happily ever after that lasted a whole week until the next Saturday. I would return and clean the home all over again until I passed the cleaning job onto my younger sibling. Cleaning takes consistent contact with the cleaning cloth in my home and in my mind. I must be willing to be cleaned. If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Whether it’s our homes or ourselves, our souls long to dwell in a home that is not only tidy, but truly clean.
LOCALLY SOURCED
Spring Cleaning: What to do with the giveaway pile College Church recommends three different options for giving away items for resale. Each of these places are connected to College Church and help different people in the community. Twice is Nice Resale Shop, located at 893 Geneva Road in Carol Stream. Proceeds help Outreach Community Ministries. Donations are accepted during general store hours, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. To schedule a furniture pick-up, call (630) 984-1545. STARS Resale Shop, located at 1072 College Avenue in Wheaton. Proceeds help STARS Family Services. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Donations are accepted until one hour before closing. To schedule a furniture pickup, call (630) 682-1499. Repeat Boutique, located at 191 S. Gary Avenue, #140 in Carol Stream, gives clothing and household items to people in need including refugees, missionaries and people involved in Christian ministries. The drop-off box is located at the back of the building by Door E3. Donation hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Store hours for free shopping: Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Call (630) 462-7341 for more information. Repeat Boutique entrance, donations in the back of the building
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