Clean House/Clean Heart

Do you love a clean house, but hate to clean? That is what I always believed… I loved it when my house was spotless, but I hated the process of getting it there.

I tried using the joke . . . I clean house every other day, and today is the other day! I procrastinated, used excuses, anything to avoid actually putting on my rubber gloves and getting to work.

Early this summer, my dh and I started working on cleaning projects together and setting aside specific days to get the job done. Guess what I discovered? I don’t hate cleaning; I hate getting dirty! When I cleaned things before they get filthy the job really isn’t that bad.

You know, it’s like that with my heart, too. It’s not easy to go before the Lord and confess to Him all of the dirt in my life. I prefer to give Him excuses, avoid problems, or just generally ignore disobedience altogether. The thing is the more I deny my sins, the more I excuse and avoid them my heart gets hard and it becomes easier to believe that I’m really not so bad!

After all, I haven’t done any of the BIG sins, and really do the little ones matter that much. But God’s Word says:

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

I sin, and just like my house, my heart  needs to be cleaned. The good news is that God is faithful and He forgives me each and every time. He wants me to do regular heart cleaning, to go to Him admitting that I have failed to love Him and others the way He has asked. Then without fail He reminds me that I have been covered by the blood of Jesus. I am clean, and I love a clean heart even more than I love a clean house!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

8 Responses to Clean House/Clean Heart
  1. Barbie
    December 8, 2010 | 9:55 pm

    So good Deb! Just like we go to the doctor for our yearly physical, we need to go to Dr. Jesus on a daily basis and ask him to do a heart check!

    • Deb
      December 9, 2010 | 5:01 pm

      Thanks Barbie! How thankful I am that He daily heals and forgives!! We are soooo blessed!

  2. Kimberly
    December 8, 2010 | 11:09 pm

    I, too, like a clean house, but not the dirty work. I am bad to just “spot” clean. And I need to be careful I don’t just do “spot” cleaning on my heart. So glad the Lord isn’t afraid to do some deep cleaning on this heart!

    A great post and a great reminder to keep our hearts before Him daily, trusting He loves us and forgives us fully.

    • Deb
      December 9, 2010 | 5:02 pm

      Hi Kimberly! “Spot cleaning” Good reminder! Deep cleaning is what we need and what our Savior is willing to provide. Wow! He is soooo good! Thanks!!

  3. Val Garner
    December 9, 2010 | 7:03 pm

    Very true. Its easy to let it slide (both), when they are small amounts, but overwhelming when they have grown into big problems, whether it be sin problems or messy house problems.

    • Deb
      December 10, 2010 | 9:56 am

      Hi Val, And I have found with both the more overwhelming the mess, the more I want to ignore it and hope it will just go away. It never does!! So, cleaning early and well whether it’s my house, or my heart through repentance and the glorious grace of God, is the only way!! Great to hear from you! Thanks!

  4. Laura
    December 15, 2010 | 1:01 pm

    Cleaning my house is so OVERWELMING for me! I get so disheartened so fast. It seems that as soon as I clean it-the kids destroy it-which every mom deals with I know! Now that I’ve started my own 31 business (LOVE IT)I ask the kids to help and it has made a positive difference. They dislike cleaning which has made them think twice about leaving messes! 🙂

    • Deb
      December 18, 2010 | 4:41 pm

      Hi Laura, Thanks for leaving your comment. What a great idea! I always laugh when children say they are bored, ours never did because I boredome announcements came with job assignments. LOL

      Enjoy a blessed Christmas!!