Throwing the Rug in the Wash

Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,  he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

I’d put off cleaning the bathroom.

Confession—I don’t like to clean. Oh, I love the results, a shiny sink, sparkling toilet, and glistening shower, but I need motivation to make it happen.

After I gave Rosie May a bath, and I got as wet as she did, I scrubbed the shower, shined the mirror and overall cleaned the bathroom. We have a beautiful crocheted rug, in a hue of rainbow colors, a friend made for me. I tossed that one and the shower mat in the washer. After everything sparkled, I laid the rugs on the floor. The difference between the dirty rug I washed and the clean rug I pulled out of the dryer was remarkable. The colors shone and brightened the room.

At times in my life, my heart resembled the dirty rug. Muted colors replaced vibrancy. Like the dirt, sin darkened my joy and sucked the life out of me. Then Jesus took my sin, my filth, the garbage in my life, and washed it all away. He carried sin to the cross and died with it there, but the beautiful thing is, He rose on the third day and with open arms offers a way out of negativity, addiction, sorrow, suffering, mistakes—you get the idea. In Jesus, there is hope. Through Jesus, God wants to lavish His grace on us. His grace cleanses the soul and restores vibrancy with joy and hope.

I’m thankful Jesus loves me more than I understand.

Seek Jesus and ask Him to cleanse your soul.

All Things Good

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4

When I came across this verse, I paused and read it again.

Everything God has created is good.

When I am outside, I am always in awe of God's creation.

All that he has made is good.

This beautiful heron posed for me at Old Woman's Creek Estuary.

To me, herons are such graceful birds.

They remind me of God's grace when people, like me, sin.

Even when I've failed and marred the good,

God through Jesus restores the good all over again--through forgiveness.

Praise God--His grace covers all my sin.

 

True Freedom

Until I seek forgiveness and give forgiveness, I'm bound by the chains of sin and despair. 

True freedom comes from reconciliation with God and people. 

 

He Offers Grace

In 2016, Tim and I visited Marblehead Lighthouse and checked out 

the newly built lifesaving station museum. 

The builders replicated the original 1876 station, previously located a mile away.

The station reminds me that God offers rescue to all who seek him. 

He's the God of second chances.

A Shepherd and a King

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
    he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

I've been reading my way through the Book of Psalm. When I opened to Psalm 23 this week, I paused. I didn't want to read through this familiar chapter too quickly. Instead I focused with a fresh perspective. As I studied the familiar words, I thought about the author, King David, and the stories I've read about him.

David was a shepherd. He understood life lived outdoors, 24/7. No doubt he spent days in the dust and dirt, sweating under the sun, and sleeping under the moon. He chased sheep back to the flock and played his harp. Yet, in this less than glamorous job, he lacked nothing. God went before him and supplied clean water, a comfortable place to lay his head, and refreshment for his soul.

David was a warrior and king. God guided him through the valleys of war. Then when David fell to temptation, wallowed in sin, and journeyed through the darkest of days, God went after him. David beat himself up; his heart ached due to his own mistakes. But through all of his cries for mercy, he eventually heard his Father say, "You're forgiven." He realized that the God of his youth was ushering him back into the fold, just as a shepherd leads his sheep to the flock. He understood that God was not going to desert him. Instead, God led him. David praised God for his constant presence and care.

I love the words that end this passage. "Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." God loves us and wants to give us his grace, just like he did David.

Psalm 23~what a beautiful reminder of hope!