“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
It's almost Thanksgiving, and after that Advent and Christmas. You know what that means, don't you?
Company is coming!
Some grandparents travel over the holidays. They're the ones packing up and visiting.
Not us. We stay home and host our family and friends. It feels like all open house, all the time, and we love it.
Except for the cleaning.
Cleaning is not my strong suit. I do it for love, because I love my family and want them to be comfortable and stay healthy. Cleaning is a big part of comfort and health.
These past few years I've become aware of a different kind of cleaning I need to do before the holiday hostess season begins.
I need to clean up my heart.
Before our guests arrive I need to get busy, confess those attitudes that clutter up my heart. I need to ask God to search me and show me where I need to be swept clean.
I need to apply His cleansing Word to the dingy, grimy corners of my heart where I cherish resentment, nurse grudges, and hold onto old hurts.
Then I need to look at myself and others in the light of His forgiveness. I want to shine that light into every relationship I have, ask for forgiveness where I need to, and forgive others the same way I've been forgiven. I want to be free to love them without anything between us.
Swept clean and shining, I'll be ready to welcome the people I love with a heart of hospitality. Our time together will be a fresh reminder of what family and friendship can be at their best. Without all that spiritual clutter, we'll be free to have fun, to celebrate, to rejoice.
I'm so excited! But first, please excuse me…
The cleaning is waiting!
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Holly cleans regularly for her family and friends, and sometimes even cooks for them! You can read more about her cleaning and cooking adventures at Grandma On Board.
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