Cleaning from the Inside Out

I walked into the house and saw the table filled with drawers and John's mom going through each drawer and throwing items away and straightening up each drawer.  My face must have shown my bewilderment because John said , "She likes to clean from the inside out."  

That was almost thirty years ago, but as my Bible studies this week have been about matters of the heart - the thought of cleaning from the inside out came back to my mind.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Oh how many times do we look all nice and tidy on the outside, when our insides are struggling with hurt, pain, anger and bitterness.  

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:30‬ ‭

It may seem to be fine as long as that "stays on the inside". But, we read over and over in the Bible how dangerous it is for us to have these things lingering in our heart.  

When we allow bad feelings to stay in our heart we give the devil the opportunity to use it.  Just as you have a bowl of fruit and one apple slowly begins to ruin the others - the devil can take that hurt and add to it. He can put thoughts in our head that make the hurt and anger grow until we have a beautiful outside but a heart that is being used against us.  

Then I read this verse...

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:21‬ ‭

I'm sure you've read it hundreds of times - just like me.  But, take a moment and let it soak in....

If my heart is full of anger that would be my treasure... 

If my heart is full of hate that would be my treasure...

If my heart is full of bitterness that would be my treasure....

None of those things are a treasure! So, we will ask the Lord to transform our mind and heart to replace these thoughts and repair our heart with traits showing His love and power.

If my heart is full of love - that is a treasure! 

If my heart is full of patience - that is a treasure!

If my heart is full of joy - that is a treasure! 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, I am thankful for my precious mother-in-law who years ago showed me the example of cleaning from the inside out. I am thankful that she led her precious son to Christ as they rocked in their rocking chair many years ago. I am thankful that transforming my heart is well within His power - even when I feel powerless.  

Lord,

Thank you for the many verses that You sent to show us the importance of our heart.  As we seek You, help us to see the places that are vulnerable in our heart that need to be turned over to You.  Do not allow anger and bitterness to stay in our heart but replace them with virtues that bring glory to You.  You taught us that everything flows out from our heart - so transform my hurt so that it can be used for good.  I do not have to do this alone - I have You and You have the power to make the changes.  Amen

Family Challenge: Read the fruits of the spirit verse together. Each person say which virtue they think shows up to the world and which one they want to improve with His help.  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22‬ ‭

Lessons by the Ocean

Walking on the beach on the Atlantic Ocean side can be tricky. For those raised going to the Gulf of Mexico, we are accustomed to sand beaches.  The Atlantic side, in contrast, is covered with seashells.  

One of our travelers was all about gathering shells - which caused us to have a good supply of beautiful shells! As we started going through our supply it hit me - look at how they are all unique. Some small. Some large. Some with little holes. Some with larger breaks. All different.  All beautiful!

So, I asked the girls, "With all that the Lord created, why do you think He made so many unique shells? Why couldn't they all just be the same?" Their response warmed my heart and I thought it was worth sharing.

They are examples of us:
1) Unique - even me, an identical twin, am unique and made in a special way.  Learning to appreciate that our differences are not a coincidence- they are His design.  My flaws and strengths were woven together.  I pray for a more grateful heart to appreciate my differences and those of others around me. Also, helping young ones appreciate the different talents and skills that make them special.

2) Broken, but with a purpose.  The pressure of the ocean waves. The heavy feet stepping on top.  Pressure may have caused a break, but we can still use it for good.  In fact, the girls exclaimed, "The broken ones are perfect for necklaces!"  Just as we experience pressure and brokenness- He will use it for His beautiful plan.  We don't understand, but there is a purpose. We aren't broken for no reason - we are refined for His plan.

3) Together we can soften the path for others.  If you've ever stepped on a big shell you know - It Hurts!  But, something about walking on the small crushed shells actually makes it easier to bear.  In the same way, as Christians, we can soften the path for others.  We can come together. We can be transparent. We can pray for them and with them.  We can make the path easier.



Lord,
Your creation is amazing! Thank you for the details that point to Your glory and Your love for us.  Thank You for turning a walk on the beach to a reassurance of Your plan.  May the lessons of the seashells be used to glorify You.
Amen