Cleaner and Clearer

Window washing. Ugh! Even domestic workers, if you are lucky enough to have one, make it plain they "don't do windows." Though we don't have a large house, it is filled with light from the 25+ windows! They'd been needing it for a long time, but the idea of cleaning 25 of them seemed just too daunting to tackle. One spring day deciding to at least make a start, I got out Windex and cloths, thinking, well, I could do just one or two a day- yes, I could do that. When supplies are gathered and you've actually made a start, it's easier to continue on and even do a bit more than planned. So, day by day, more windows got clearer, cleaner, brighter. In two weeks time with this little routine, all were finished.

Washing windows might be a lot like prayer time, time for the Word. If it isn't part of our normal routine, it's so easy to put off until another day - and another day! But, if we can just make a start, set ourselves small tasks, allot a little time, the results and rewards from even the smallest efforts will be amazing. After spending time with the Lord, we will see more clearly, some of the "grime" in our lives will be wiped away, and everything will appear cleaner and brighter. It reminds me of phrases from a song learned long ago:

To see Thee more clearly,

Love Thee more dearly,

Follow Thee more nearly,

Day by day.

Matthew 6.34 - Live one day at a time.

Zechariah 4.10 - Do not despise this small beginning, for the eye of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin.

Ecclesiastes 11.4 - If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

Acts 22.16 - Why do you wait? Rise and wash away your sins, calling on his name.

Psalm 51.10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Philippians 1.10 - I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong and to be inwardly clean.

1 Timothy 3.16 - It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ, who came to earth as a man, was proved spotless and pure in his Spirit and was received up again to his glory in heaven.

Ephesians 1.17 - I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all he has done for you.

Hebrews 1.4 - He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin.

John 15.3 - Now you are clean through the word I have spoken to you.

1 Timothy 1.5 - What I am eager for is that all the Christians there will be filled with love that comes from pure hearts, and that their minds will be clean and their faith strong.

1 Corinthians 13.12 - Now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.