CLEAN UP THIS MESS!!!!

As I spent the morning cleaning up the mess I sometimes live in, I started thinking about the messes our lives can become.  Often the mess is our own doing---empty glasses by my chair, dishes in the sink, clothes in a heap--sin in our life, unrest in our minds, greed in our eyes, or terror with no trust.  We worry--we fret--we covet--we rewrite the truth---and we are left with the mess in the wake of disobedience.  We have to stop--regroup-and clean up our mess--with a big splash of grace and a little scrubbing on our knees.

One of the problems when we create a mess---is those around who are subjected to the stink, disarray, and waves of grief created by the messes we make.  If you come to my house and it is in a big mess, you must suffer the consequences of the unclean--and perhaps even the stench.  So it is with the sin in our life, it is one thing when our sin has a lasting effect on our souls and our hearts.  It is quite another when those that love us are bowled over by the poor choices we make.

They are blind-sided with the waves of sorrow, grief, and despair from the repercussions of the sin.  There are times that the innocent are impacted by our narcissistic pursuit of what makes us happy-with no regard for anyone but our self.

I have been reminded of this today, and am praying for eyes that are open to see how my actions--impact others.  My sin may be forgiven, and I may be clean---but the truth is--others are still left with the scars of my actions--even at times unknown to me.  This puts an entirely different face on sin--how could I --why would I---cause pain to another?  Praying for eyes to see and a heart to know---the messes I have made and the power to clean them up---and make them right--in the eyes of God and those in the path of the stink I create when I make a big mess.

Today I am thankful for the joy of grace and praying

to be mindful of those in my wake.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
I Corinthians 10:31