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!

Getting the itch

Today it really hit! After clearing yet another tree from my brother-in-laws property, my husband and I both awoke last night to severe itching on almost every part of our anatomy! All over my face, arms and neck. He got it worse! All over his face, front and back of his neck, arms and legs! His eyes are almost swollen shut with the amount of poison "whatever" it is that has decided to invade our household. Thankfully, our doctor friends at the hospital tell us it isn't contagious --- that would be all I need to pass it on to my two preschool children! We have now prescriptions and creams to relieve the itch and to dry up the rash.

Having this itch however, gave me reason to do some evaluation. (not that I never NEED a reason!). What is it that is in our hearts that gets our attention by constantly reminding us of it's existence and being persistent for attention? For me, it is the constant need to scratch the itch of writing. I want to write, to let my thoughts and feeling flow out of my mind onto the papers at be, however something always sooths that itch but never takes care of the initial passion. Until now. I have been nervous and even slightly rebellious to our Lord, by putting it off -- and ignoring the itch through excuses of time, talent and family. Now -- it has grown so large, and the Lord has given me the time, and family I need...and those who read this will also note if I have the talent or not! -- but none of that really matters to him. It just matters that I scratch the itch and try -- give it a good go, my best ---and that is all that it takes to honor and glorify Him who gave me this "affliction" as I, sadly, sometimes refer to it. I always feel blessed when I write, always feel loved and always feel relieved. Is something itching at your heart and soul? Find relief and just try! But beware, the more you scratch....the more it will itch!
Living in Him again today,
Amanda

WOW! I Can't believe that I actually was able to find a way to share my thoughts and experiences as a mom - and wife - and follower of our Lord Jesus! And even more suprised if people read it!! I actually found it, and did it even without the aid of a high teach specialist!
I hope you enjoy my meanderings and mispellings! :)

The Simple Things

WOW! I did it. How could have guess I figured out how to create a way to continually praise the Lord for the Simple things in my life he has Given me! AND I could do it without any high tech speicalist to aid in my adventure! I hope you enjoy these pages as you read it and begin to understand who I and my family are in relationship to our Lord and Savior Jesus!