Deep Cleaning

I warned our three boys last weekend that this weekend we were going to clean their room. I didn't mean just straighten up and organize a little....I meant we were going to go through EVERY SINGLE AREA of their room! Needless to say, they weren't too excited. Truthfully, I wasn't either, but knew it needed to be done.

Our boys are 6, 11, and 13 and for now they share a room. (Hopefully and prayerfully, in the future the oldest will have his own room.) It's a large room, so that's not a problem. The problem is that sometimes three is a crowd and it's hard to find the time to go through and weed out what they don't want or need or can't wear any more. Because our daughter isn't playing volleyball this year, we've had a few extra free Saturdays to do some things around the house. That's been nice.

The room project was a whole-family-event - all six of us! We took everything except the big pieces of furniture out of their room. It was piled in the living room and dining room. Then, to put it back together, we were starting with a clean slate. We began to bring some of the clothing, toys, and decor back in, but drastically reduced from what was in there before. Of course, now there is a huge pile to get rid of.

The boys were glad to get rid of the clutter and are very proud of their "new" room. It's amazing how clean and organized it is now! We knew it needed to be done, but really didn't realize just how bad it was until we saw the finished product and went through the process of cleaning out the "stuff".

Isn't that kind of like our spiritual lives? When we decide to become a Christian, we have realized that what we are doing wrong - our sin - is hurting God. We have realized that we need Jesus and that His blood was shed for our salvation. Our bodies then become the temple of the Holy Spirit when we become a Christian. And, we should strive to keep our temples clean and "clutter" free.

"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."" Acts 2:38-39

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We then can begin to get rid of the "stuff"...the "clutter". We confess our sins at that time, and then continue to do so throughout our Christian walk. And, God is faithful to forgive us of those sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9When we are forgiven, we are beginning again with a clean slate - those sins are erased. God doesn't keep a record of them any longer. We may have a hard time forgetting those past sins, but God doesn't.

The "clean slate" feeling is a great feeling, isn't it? It's only then that we realize just how heavy of a load sin can be in our lives. It will clutter up our lives, just as like "stuff" can clutter up a room.

But, the boy's room will get "cluttered" and get too much "stuff" again. I will make an effort to keep this from happening and now that they're all older, they will, too. But, I also know that it will need this deep cleaning out again someday. It has many times before. Our spiritual lives will need "cleaning out" from time to time, too. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. We all get "clutter and stuff" we have to deal with. But, just as our family all worked together and accomplished the cleaning task this weekend, God will help us clean out our spiritual lives. Jesus will help us. The Holy Spirit will help us. Our Christian friends can help us, too. We just have to be willing to go through the process.