Clean vs. Dirty

Today I had the privilege of working alongside friends in painting and cleaning a kitchen and Bathroom. The simple everyday kind of things we do to help friends we care about and enjoy their company at the same time. The kids (and I include daddy Eric in this as well!) Had the best time playing with the baby bunnies, playing ball, playing with fire and the grill as well as learning the tricks of the trade of Potato Launchers. (Yes, I did say Potato launchers -- loud but fun!)

While cleaning and such, I was able to take the time to ponder -- Is this really clean??? Have you ever cleaned something and then asked yourself...."should I clean this again? How do I know it is really clean?" Well, my philosophical mind does. Is it clean because the chemical bottle I just used says it is 99.9% bacterial free once I use it?? And what happens if I miss that .01%? Won't that still make a stink of things? -- I can just see those Oprah and Dr. Phil ladies coming to the house and finding the .01% of dirt that will make us all sick and eventually kill us dead! Is it clean because it is back to its original color? Is it clean when it squeaks? Is it clean when it smells clean? And what does clean really smell like? I am sure it wasn't that chemical stuff I used in the bathtub tonight! YUCK! I can hear it now..."ooohhhh..don't you smell like 'the works'!!" Someone else might say..."You are Squeaky clean??...here let me check..!" No thanks!

I am thankful for one thing tonight. That in despite of my O.C.D. tendencies, when the Lord tells us we are clean, we can be assured we are 100% clean -- without spot or wrinkle! When we go to him and admit our sins -- admit how dirty we actually are to Him and to ourselves...It is His precious gift of Grace that washes over us, cleaning us from all sin and shame. It is then that the world will have His sweet fragrance to fill up every room that we enter together. He is so good to us! What a privilege to serve such a wonderful Lord!