Sacred House cleaning and fear monsters
My heart is the place my love and fears compete for residency.
However, I am the landlord and I get to decide who lives here.
When Jesus took up residency he didn’t forcefully move in.
There were no bolt cutters or sledgehammers involved.
He was invited and welcomed.
As much as I delighted in our new friendship there were areas I did not allow Him access.
I told Him this was all the space I was willing to give.
He did not FORCE me to open those locked and forgotten spaces.
Slowly – over time and with trust,
I gave Him the key and was willing to explore those
Dark
Secret
Scary
rooms with him.
As He opened the door I was surprised I wasn’t afraid.
This place didn’t seem as scary now.
Together we pulled cobwebs off the walls and opened locked closets.
We examined trinkets, old photos,
broken pottery and hope chests filled with baby clothes.
The things memories, hopeful dreams and broken promises are made of.
When we cleaned the mirrors I saw
MY reflection for the first time –
the way HE SEES ME.
There in the locked away room is where I discovered MY image and MY worth.
It wasn’t in my accomplishments that hung so shiny in the front room where all could see.
It was in the broken- hurting places that we cleaned together.
That scary, dark room turned into a
sacred – holy space.
There was sadness and healing,
but there was so much
JOY!
Together, with my Lord cleaning house.
As we cleaned he showed me where the intruders lived and together we
banished the fear monsters.
They were never invited, but took up secret residency when I wasn’t looking.
They came in on wounds and hid
deep in dark corners.
Feeding on unhealed pain of judgment and rejection.
They whispered through the walls.
They were determined to keep me from living a wholehearted life.
The room was now cleaned and swept.
Windows were thrown open and
fresh,
crisp
air-filled the place.
He showed me how the fear monsters snuck in
and I will be on guard.
I know I don’t have to do this alone and He stands guard with me.