Today was a beautiful day. It finally felt like spring. The temperature was in the 60s, there was only a slight breeze, and the sun was shining. Everyone in our family has been sick for nearly an entire whole month so I encouraged everyone to spend time outside getting fresh air and sunshine. I took the opportunity to clean out our van and my mail delivery car while our toddler, Ami, played with her shopping cart nearby. A 15-passenger van carrying eight children around all winter can get pretty disgusting. I rarely visit the back two bench seats and for good reason. I shoved my hands into the crevice where the back meets the seat and pulled out candy, pencils, toys, wrappers, and old French fries.

Finally, Ami needed a break. She needed a diaper change, a drink, and a snack so we came into the house. She seemed to really have fun outside, despite how sick she has been. Of course, once you are on a cleaning spree it can be difficult to stop. So, after I rocked Ami and put her down for a nap I started on the kitchen. Then I noticed what a mess the refrigerator was. I tried to clean just half of the refrigerator telling myself that I could finish it tomorrow. However, I no more than shut the door and opened it right back up. I just couldn’t leave it.

That started me thinking about my own spiritual house cleaning. What clutter, garbage, or bad habits have I allowed to take up space in myself over the winter that needs to be tossed out during spring housecleaning? Are there things in my life that I have given more time and attention then I have given the Lord? Do I need to set an example for my adopted children by seeking the Lord’s forgiveness and making a fresh start?

Luke 11:39~40Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? (NIV)

Mark 7:14-15, "Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.'" (NIV)

Matthew 12:43~45"When an evil[f] spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (NIV)

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007