OCTOBER 4, 2023
A friend of mine was interviewing a woman to possibly be a housekeeper. This couple was getting older and needed help around the house. My friend was impressed with the woman’s demeanor and references. So, when she asked when the interviewee could start, she was surprised by the reply, “First, let me see your toilet.” Wait, what???
This housekeeper had been burned in the past with a house that looked good in the rooms she had been given access to at her interview but had terribly nasty toilets. Her accepting or declining jobs now depended on how dirty or clean the toilets were. After seeing my friend’s bathrooms, she took the job immediately.
THANK GOD that He doesn’t wait for me to clean myself up before taking me in. He doesn’t ask to look at my toilets before opening His arms to me. He has no intention of refusing me when I ask for help. He wants me to come to Him, no matter what my life (or toilet) looks like. He has the power to erase my sins and make my heart shine, and He doesn’t mind the work.
**Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” Zechariah 3:3-4
While writing this, I thought about Wesley, my grandbaby. He just turned one year old, and he is a terrific hugger! Each time he wraps those little arms around my neck, I snuggle in as long as he’ll allow. Why? Because this makes me feel loved and melts my heart.
What if Wesley raised his arms asking me to pick him up while having a dirty diaper? What if I sniffed the air and refused to touch him because he was soiled? What would that do to our relationship? He has no way to clean himself up, but I do. I’ve never turned away and refused his wanting to be held, and I never plan to.
If Wesley lifts his hands and wants me to pick him up so he can give me a hug, I’ll take it in a heartbeat, dirty diaper, and all. Why? Because I want him to know how much I love him, and I desire a good relationship with him. If I refused to touch or hold Wesley if he isn’t in pristine condition, he would never know me as Crina. He would know me as a stranger.
It is the same with God. Only He can forgive my sins and wipe away the stains they leave. Only He can truly and completely clean me up. No matter how hard I scrub or what actions I take, the residue will not be removed without His help. He is waiting and willing. He wants me to lift my hands and say, “Hold me, change me…this doesn’t feel good.” He wants to forgive my sins when I ask and make me fresh again. He desires to forgive me and show me how much He loves me. He wants a close relationship with me, even more than I want a close relationship with Wesley.
And then…
God dances and sings over me. ME, of all people, ME, CHRIS BAKER from Sudan, Texas!!!
**”The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
I love scooping Wesley up and dancing around the kitchen with him. Seeing the pleasure and smile on his face brings me such joy. He also has a few cute little dance moves of his own that make me laugh.
Can you imagine how much more delight the Creator of the universe gets when I come to Him soiled and stinky asking for His help? Then being asked if I wanted to dance with HIM?? He created me to love and worship Him. Zephaniah says, “He rejoices over us with singing.” God, in all His glory, dances and sings over me!! I bring Him joy. How much better could it get?
**Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
LORD, I am so thankful that You desire to forgive my sins and are willing to clean me up and set me back on my feet. Search my heart, LORD. I don’t want the rest of the house to look good while hiding a nasty toilet from You. I want You to have it all. Reveal to me the stinky places we need to work on together. Forgive me for where I have fallen short. Cleanse me and change me, LORD, and make me white as snow. Thank you that I can dance and sing with You wearing a fresh, clean garment of praise. Help me stay on the path You lay before me. And when I sin again, because I know I will, point it out to me quickly, so I don’t sit in the filth long. I want the closest relationship with you possible as my Abba, Father. I don’t want anything to come between us, LORD. Thank You for doing the hard work and allowing me to benefit from Your sacrifice and grace. Give me a heart after You and You alone, LORD. Amen
**Today, the song I share is one I listened to when I was a kid. I started singing it to Wesley the other day while he was opening and closing our cabinet doors. Benny hadn’t ever heard it, so we pulled it up on YouTube and Wesley showed us some pretty cool dance moves of his own!!
SHUT DE DO’ KEEP OUT DE DEVIL
ON THE PORCH 