Busyness Or Busy Mess – Sunlight & Holy Spirit

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I had just too much to do, and in my busyness or busy mess, the last thing I needed was more tasks added to my day. I was painting the girl’s bedroom and clearing it out so that we could replace the floor.

This joy had taken way too long and I really needed to get it done!

The last thing I needed or would want to happen is something more added to my to-do list. I had just finished folding a couple of loads of laundry, I had finished vacuuming, and just a few dishes to wash and I was ready to get to work painting.

As I finished up the dishes and headed down to the girl’s room a sudden ray of sunlight lit up an area on the living room wall as I was passing by. On second glance, I was aware that I obviously had neglected this particular wall for far too long.

There were fingerprints, and some kind of food stuck to it along with dog hair and mud. What?! Where did that come from. I could have sworn it wasn’t there yesterday!

Someone Is Responsible

I snapped at the girls deciding that it was ‘someones‘ fault.

With the truth staring me in the face, I had to admit that that wall had to be washed immediately. I was filling the bucket at the sink and the sun was shining through the windows so beautifully.

But, as beautiful as it was, I couldn’t enjoy it. It was shining through the windows that ‘someone‘ had splashed water on while doing dishes. All I could see was the spots on the window.

My mind went to immediate ‘self-talk’ – “of course, no one would ever attempt to clean it up”...

It probably happened days or even a month ago, but the ‘bright’ sun brought it immediately to my attention.

Is Busyness An Excuse?

As I stood there, very irritated that I had so much more that I had to add to my chore list that day. I began to reflect.

It was earlier that day that I had been made aware of something in my behavior that needed to be brought into focus and cleaned up. So to speak.

As I reflected on the wall and window, I realized that if it had been a dark day without the blessing of sunlight, I would never have noticed the dirt, food, and fingerprints.

I could have gone about my day, week, or even a month without cleaning up the stuff I found that needed attention. But, this day, the sun was shining. and revealing a definite mess…

Holy Spirit Light

When we strive to grow in holiness and take steps to grow closer to God we are becoming very vulnerable. Just like the rays of the sun, the rays of love, from the Son, will illumine our hearts, our lives, and those things we need to root out and clean up.

The dirt, the grime, the wrong thinking, and the ugly truth of our behavior…

Just when it had been too long, the light broke through the darkness and revealed things I could not ignore anymore.

Earlier during my morning prayer, the dirt, smudges, and dust of behavior that needed correction were clearly visible and illuminated in the light of the Holy Spirit.

My impatience, harsh tone, unhealthy self-talk, busyness, and lack of gentleness that I give my family is all spiritual grime that I have allowed to build-up for far too long. It is in no way how a Christian wife and mother should conduct herself.

And if I neglected to acknowledge it, take care of it, and clean it up, the issue would just get to be a bigger, stickier mess that would be much more difficult to deal with.

The Holy Spirit was offering to enlighten my heart and soul.

In much the same way as those rays of light shining throughout my home showed me the corners, smudges, and forgotten areas that needed attention.

I realized at that moment that I had been given a great gift.

Nasty Build Up Revealed

I have come to know that if God needs to address something in me, he will reveal it in subtle and not so subtle ways. The sun that morning was offering light not only to my home but to my heart, and the world around me.

Yes, I had a wall and windows to wash. These are important daily homemaking tasks. But if I neglect them the worst that will happen is I will have a messy home and will have to do it some other time.

But, when it comes to a certain behavior or the unloving way we treat others these need immediate attention. Every moment that we neglect to correct it is so crucial.

God Loves Us Too Much To Leave Us In Our Dirt

God loves us so much! And when we invite him in he begins the task of drawing our minds and hearts to the areas in our lives that need work.

If the treatment I give to others is not good, holy, and healthy and I refuse to take care of it, it can cause deep hurt. I could be causing an injury of the heart that will take a lot longer to heal and may never get better.

Busyness is not a badge of honor. It can lead us down a road until we are lost in ourselves, our expectations, and our agenda. All while forgetting our God and our true purpose in life.

We are created to know God, to love Him, and to serve him. (Baltimore Catechism) This is where our joy is found and where true peace for our lives and all humanity lies.

The walls and windows can wait.

I have been so blessed with such a wonderful and beautiful family. And I want them to know, without a doubt, how much I cherish and love them.

How I honor my husband, care for my children, and treat others will always matter…

I will say, although very annoyed at the time, I am so thankful that the light of the Holy Spirit broke into my daily schedule and revealed my smudged windows, dust and dirty corners that busy day…

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