Spring Cleaning

 

 

 

Proverbs 20:9 "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?"

I anticipate spring cleaning. A tradition for most people, it's origin began with the Jewish Passover.  Since the Jews could only eat unleavened bread during this time, the house was thoroughly cleaned, prior to Passover, to make sure that all leavened bread, right down to the crumbs, was cleaned out.

This happened in the Spring, of course. We all love this time of year. The warmer weather and new life inspires a fresh start at life in more ways than one! Amidst all the literal decluttering, scouring, polishing, and general cleaning, it's a good time to look inward, as well.

I actually love the business of spring cleaning. With some planning and focus, the transformation of house and property gives new purpose and pride to life.. It's fleeting, yes, but the presentation of the place we live portrays the kind of people who dwell there. We make judgement of people on the impressions of the outward appearance of the personal property of the people living therein.

I've always loved transformation of any kind. Property, personal and spiritual. It means someone has seen the importance of changing bad to good. That's always a positive thing. 

Due to spring allergies, I've been limited in outside cleanup, but on Saturday, I was very interested in the outside transformation of our yard. My husband, daughter, and granddaughters did a good job of beginning the yearly cleanup. I couldn't help but dash out and see the progress every chance I got. 

Meanwhile, I have already cleaned windows, cabinets, and closets. I love the   feeling of rejuvenation that comes with spring cleaning. 

The general clutter and dust is easy to change. One thing I never enjoy as much, though, is cleaning under the refrigerator and range. The grimy places can be tedious and tiring. However, the result of deep cleaning is a very satisfying experience. You learn things about what you don't want to let get that way again.

Spiritual spring cleaning is so easy to compare. And what better time to look inward and do some cleaning? Our mind and soul often become cluttered with things that need to be cleaned up. So let's grab the brushes and brooms and start sweeping out negative thoughts and bad habits. Roll back the rugs and get rid of laziness and complaining. Scrub down the walls of self pity and pessimism. Rake out the imaginations and gossip. Clean up the arguing.  Some things are a little harder to get rid of. The grime of bitterness and unforgiveness sometimes takes some extra bleach to get it back to where it needs to be. The grout cleaning of resentment and shampooing of hard feelings take some extra elbow grease. But there's no feeling like the one we have when we've done a thorough soul cleaning!

What I really love about spring cleaning are the new little touches that can be added to brighten things up. Outside, the splashes of color in refurbished flower beds are beautiful. Inside, some colorful new curtains or toss pillows add some cheer!

So it is within. Add generous splashes of praise and compliments to God and to others! Take time to encourage family and friends. It brightens life. Think on lovely and pure things; it will put a smile on your face!  Choose positive attitudes; it blesses the world!

The more you do daily, the less unpleasantness next Spring! So keep cleaning!

What a Ride!

 

 

 Train up a child in the way he should go." Proverbs 22:6

I had enough nieces and nephews and experience at babysitting to feel pretty confident that I could do the child training thing. I had all kinds of ideas about what shouldn't be done. And I knew that when it came my turn to do the "mom" thing, I could do it!  

Funny, isn't it? I actually openly laughed when I heard my own children (pre-having their own kids era) bragging on how they thought the parenting thing should be done.

The older I get, the more I realize the less I knew. The more I learn, the more I realize that child training also involves parent training. You learn together. 

I really wish I would have journaled my feelings through those training years. But I didn't have much time. And I really didn't want to. A mommy's emotions jump around so much, it would be hard to know which ones are the real ones for the day. 

You hardly have time to read the Word, let alone interpret what "training up a child" is.  Just let me tell you, any kind of training is hard; on the trainee and the trainer. Most training involves a few weeks or months. You have basically 18  years to train  a child. That's a long time. I really don't want to think about being trained or training  someone for that long.

The definition of "training " implies organized activity aimed to form or improve a recipient's performance to a required level of knowledge or skill. So it's our job to train a child to be an adult! What a job! And having children is supposed to be fun! And organized! And successful! And believe me, when you send them out on the field after that 18 years and watch them making decisions, you think you probably skipped some chapters or fell asleep somewhere in there!

I observe the training field for various stages of training in the families around me. I see the exhaustion in the dads who are holding down stressful jobs and coming home to little shadows who demand attention.  I  see weariness  on the face of moms who are trying to understand the phases of raising children and looking to the Good Book for more specific answers. . I see confusion in the children when they are trying to listen and learn and not  necessarily getting it. I understand the temptation to let up; find an easier way or just cop out. It's hard; this life training.

I don't know how I did it. And I know I didn't do it all perfect. I know the grace of God was there when I lost my way. I know I cried.  I smiled. Some days were horrid. I looked for the joy. I know I laughed a lot! Somedays were fun; some days you wanted to erase and start over.

All I can say to you weary mommies still on the Roller Coaster. It's a big ride. Those hills are hard to chug up. The thrilling downhill swoops feel good enough to try another round. Having been through some harrowing upside down loops keep you buckled up for safety. You keep pulling the Handbook out of the glove compartment as you lean into the curves! And you have faith. The Manual is tried and proven. I am one of the thousands who used it and it works!

And, like me, when you get through that indescribable adventure, stand up on those trembling legs, pump that fist and say "Thank you, Jesus. What a ride!"

By the way,  I am one of those Moms who love to hear your stories, good or bad. I don't judge you. I pray a lot for you.  And by the grace of God: You. Will. Make It. I did.

Iron Sharpeneth Iron

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Our local church just had our Spring Work Day to spruce things up around the place. We had a lot to do and it was a little overwhelming! But I was so encouraged to see all of us diligently working together! 

We all tended to work in teams. It just seems like you get more done when you have a friend along side you. It's called camaraderie.  I love the word. Fellowship; friendship; companionship. It's a comfortable feeling. We were encouraging each other just by being together and having a common goal.

I watched the children. When they were given jobs, they made it fun. I listened to them laughing and making a game of it. Two little girls scrubbed the nursery floor while having a blast together as friends. I laughed with a teenager who had given two preschoolers a simple job of pouring water into a pan or spraying blinds. Their
little countenances were very intent on getting the job done and they felt so big at being given such an "important" job. Their little eyes were sparkling!

It blessed me to see the men work as teams to finish carpentry jobs needing updated. There was a team clearing out old brush from around trees and fence lines.  An enthuastic group of teens were making a bright new change in painting the playground equipment. It's beautiful in its new coat of yellow and blue and they had so much fun together. 

We spring cleaned the inside, visiting and laughing together as we scrubbed and brightened  the rooms. The women brought a delicious spread of food which we all shared as we visited and again, laughed together.

Had one or two people taken on the jobs on Saturday, it would have been overwhelming and discouraging. But as friends with a common interest, it was fun! We were all so tired we could hardly walk at the end of the day, but we had all been blessed by the fact that we had worked together. Our countenances had been sharpened just by taking on a big challenge together and it felt so good.

Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

I noticed that teamwork generates a pride and interest in the goal being worked toward.  It seemed to me that, on Sunday, there was a contented feeling collectively as we all gathered for morning worship. Despite the exhausting work the previous day, we all felt fulfillment and contentment at how we had worked together and accomplished so much for a good cause. The Lord met us in song and praise and the preaching of the Word. It seemed to me there was a little extra "umph" to all of it!

I am thanking God for "workers together through Christ Jesus" .......

Skill Seeking

Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men."

 Some people think that you have to be talented to be skilled. That may be partly true, but not necessarily. My little mama was skilled in a whole lot of things. She could crochet, quilt, decorate cakes, do art work and loved craftwork. She was taught how to crochet, quilt and sew from the women in her life. She taught herself how to decorate cakes and built a home based business that supplemented the family income. She took art classes when she was 75 years old and painted beautiful scenery on just about anything she could get her hands on! She could build things if she chose. My mama was spunky and determined; a seeker.

My husband is a skilled craftsman in woodworking and numerous other trades. He is professionally trained in barbering and is a Master at this skill. He worked with friends to learn meat cutting and how to smoke meats. There's hardly a question he can't answer in that field; he has mastered it. He also worked with professionals in carpentry to obtain the vast knowledge of woodworking that he knows. He made the remark at one time that he determined to acquire the knowledge and skill in anything he was interested in. He has done that. He can do electrical work, plumbing, even some basic mechanics. He's a seeker.

My sister is blind. Not from birth; this handicap developed in adulthood. Instead of sitting down and giving in to depression, she particularly excels in cooking! We all marvel at her tasty meals she can produce on a whim! Yes, it's partly a gift, but a lot grit and determination to carry on her passion for the culinary interest she's always loved. She is not afraid to try new recipes;  she's a seeker. 

I have another lady friend who seems extra talented in everything. But I also know she is a seeker. If she wants to learn how to do something, she will. She has her hand in community projects, as well as the needs of the church. She is retired from teaching but still her inspiration and dedication teaches and challenges. Almost everyone has been a  reciprocate of some passed on blessing from this gifted and giving lady!

The Proverbs passage today says that people of skill will stand before kings. To be skilled is to have the ability to do a thing well. You can only do this by being a seeker; one who finds out. Whether you learn from experience or from training or from talent, I think all of us should seek to learn; to improve. Not for selfish purposes; but to be a contributor to your family and to society in general. We are not limited by age, social status or gender to being a seeker! 

I admire parents that teach their children to learn everything they can through books and by awakening their minds to interesting and educational opportunities. I love to see middle aged people take on new challenges: job changes or productive hobbies.  I am always inspired by the seniors who keep contributing to the world especially through volunteer efforts in helping others.

Obscurity means not clear or hidden. A skilled and talented person will not fade into obscurity. They will be recognized; not because that was their goal, but because the very nature of a seeker is unselfish; they give out what they acquire. There is no need to learn if you can't use your knowledge and skill. 

Author Laura Spencer writes: "no matter how much you experienced, how many degrees you have or how well known you have become, there's always something to learn."

I've had some great examples in seeking and learning. My goal is to never think I'm through living! As long as I am alive, surely I have something to learn and something to contribute!