Create in me a clean heart, O God...

The theme of our Ladies Banquet this year was Spring Clean Up. I chose Psalm 51:10 as our theme verse. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." The speakers and I talked about not only getting our homes and lives in order, but also focusing on our spiritual lives. The same problem we have with dust, grime and clutter in our homes, cars, etc. often transfers over to our spiritual condition. I wanted this banquet to not be a reprimand, but more of a reminder (especially for myself) that we are not perfect, but in reality are on a constant journey to improve and enhance our lives every day. It would be sad to think that you have finally "arrived". Then what?

I know that many of you are like me. You want the best for your family, your home, yourself. You have good intentions, but at the end of the day - it seems you fall short of your goal. The laundry is never done, the homeschool stuff has a way of taking over the house, the dust magically appears two seconds after you dusted, your kids are hungry AGAIN, you fed them pop tarts for dinner... It's okay. Why lie? We all have those days, weeks, whatever! Don't beat yourself up over it. On the other hand, don't throw in the towel and wallow in your mess either. Start with one thing and work on it. A little each day. Some people call it Power 15's or they schedule two loads of wash a day. Decide that it's okay for your home to look lived in. Whatever. Make a dent. It will matter in the long run.

Our spiritual lives are the same. We have good intentions. We vowed in January to read the entire Bible, cover to cover. Now that you've let it fall by the wayside, you've only got 93 chapters to read today in order to catch up. Ugh. Forget it. Instead, set a new goal - a realistic goal. What's wrong with reading just a chapter a day or even a verse a day, or when you can and really getting something from it - thinking about it, claiming its promise and really knowing what it means for you? How about all that clutter in your heart. The feelings of anger, bitterness, low self-worth, hopelessness? You've got to work through those things and get rid of them. How about doing something great for someone today? How about spending time with your children and showing them how special they are? Sing a song of praise and worship to Him. Aren't those the things that really define a Christian? Spend time getting to know Christ more through prayer and meditation. This does not have to happen while you are prostrate on the floor at 4 a.m. for two hours. This can be done all day. While you're doing the dishes, driving (don't close your eyes), waiting in line somewhere... Keep a journal, make a list, whatever it is that works for you.

Let's stop acting as if we all have it "together" all the time. You know you get all crazy like everyone else trying to clean the house in a 911 fashion because a visitor is coming, you know you and hubby fought all the way to church...you don't have to tell everyone, but you also don't have to act like something you're not. To be a Christian means to be like Christ would be. To be real, not fake. Nobody likes a fake. Give yourself permission today to be real!