mr. clean

I have this odd obsession with cleanliness. 

Just to clarify, I am human and a normal college student and yes, my room gets very cluttered and chaotic from time to time. But one of the things that makes me super happy is cleaning my room. The messier, the better. Because then the end result is so much more satisfying. 

I have a very meticulous process: first, I throw all the empty water bottles, random bagel/chip bags, plastic cups into a trash bag. Then I arrange the papers on my desk, followed by placing my textbooks on the windowsill. I fold up my copies of the DP and put them up in my bookshelf in a designated area. And I stack my knit berets next to my printer so that I can just slip them on whenever (usually when I'm running late and my hair looks awful.) I make my bed and fold up my clothes again.

But my favorite part has to be taking care of the floor, which I do last. Mind you, I have an incredibly small room. But cleaning the floor is the best feeling ever. I take a regular dry swiffer sheet first and swiffer the room - I shed hair like crazy (t.m.i, I know, but still) - and then I take a wet swiffer (scented Open Window Fresh) and swiffer the room. And seriously, just walking back and forth in my room swiffering the floor and smelling the freshness of the room - it's honestly an amazing feeling. Laugh if you will, but it's just awesome.

And for me, I just think God is like that. He delights in taking the abused, the wronged, the offenders, the sinners and making them clean again. These people can collect dust and grime in their hearts for as long as they want, but when they finally turn to Him, He can't wait to make them clean again. 

I can understand that some people might be confused about that idea, saying, well what of those people that drink and do drugs and curse and lie during the week and become "cleansed" again on Sunday? I can't say that God's a washing machine. You can't just stick in dirty laundry and expect clean clothes every week. Their clothes are going to have permanent marker stains which will make them need to take those clothes out and scrub them with rubbing alcohol by hand. Being with and of God is a two-way deal; you need to hold up your end of the relationship.

But for those that have made some serious mistakes in the past and truly want to return to/seek out God, He will embrace you. Whenever. Just like my computer screen can't help but get dusty throughout the week because of the environment, we as humans can't help but make more mistakes along the way. So I (and He) will wipe it away and make anew.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24)

Everyone likes having a blank slate, so try this activity with me. The next time you get a sudden motivation to clean your room, just say any troubles or mistakes aloud while you're cleaning. Say it to the air, breathe in Lavender Fresh, and release both your furniture and your heart from the dust that's been piling up. I promise, no one will ever hear you...except God, who already knows it all anyway. See how you feel and get back to me.