That word is in the Bible?

Well, as I finished up cleaning and getting Peyton's room ready for Nana and Papa (we don't have a guest room), I guess the Lord continued to speak to me. I really was thinking as I cleaned about why He keeps on using cleaning as my "inspiration" (a.k.a. conviction!) for my writing lately. What is in my life that this applies to? What needs cleaned out? 

From a quick point of view, my house looks clean. I didn't get to our bedroom like I wanted. Figured I'd just shut the door on that one. Then I went to the linen closet to get sheets for the bed. The closets- a different story. I hope my mother-in-law, my mama, or no one looks in my closets! Tis true of the closets of our hearts. What is behind closed doors?

Then, as I walked many, many times back and forth, my eyes settled on this:

Yes, that is a litter box. Yes, we do have a cat. No, it doesn't stay inside. In fact, I shall dare not say just how long it has been since that cat stayed inside. Suffice it to say, we were feeling sorry for it on some cold nights.......(Yes, I am ashamed.)

I have looked at it almost every time I've walked through the dining room, which is everyday, multiple times a day. And yet, it continues to sit there. I'm not sure what actually is in it- the cat wasn't inside much. But still..... Often, I would think, "I need to get rid of that." But do nothing about it. 

A litter box.....(still ashamed).

And like a slap in the face, God spoke. A litter box. A representation of that which is disgusting. Sitting right in the middle of my "clean house." 

I think the analogy is self-explanatory. But, to be sure, I found scripture. You'd be surprised how many times the word "dung" is used in the Bible.

Philippians 3:8

The Message (MSG)

^7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

Again- Jesus words. Not mine. What is it that is in my heart, that I consider "righteousness of my own?" (v. 9) That which is like waste, filth in His eyes? My eyes are wet and my heart is convicted even as I type. 

Lastly, as I walked through my "clean house," I realized it is not immaculate. No, on my own it will never be. Try as I may, it will never be spotless. Neither will my heart be, except for God's grace and my confession. Then, it will be pure, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. 
I found that the word "clean" or a form of it is found 176 times in the Bible. Here are a few.....

Ephesians 5:25-27

"....... just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

^{Hebrews 9:14 (The Message)-}

If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.

"Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Again Lord?

Again Lord? 
He must really be trying to teach me something about cleaning. Or either He has a great sense of humor! 
My in-laws are coming tonight, to spend the night-which is fine- I love my in-laws! But, there's a different kind of cleaning you have to do when your in-laws are visiting. It's different than if my mama comes. I'm not sure why, but it is. Maybe it's a pride thing, because I want my mother-in-law to be pleased with the choice her son made in a wife.  I have even said before, at other times when they were coming for a visit, that I needed to straighten things up, so at least it will "appear" that I have it all together, especially during the school year- which I so do not!  So, as I busied myself this morning with getting things in order, I found spots and scum, dirt and dust that I had "missed" when I had cleaned just three days ago. It was the little things that I had just "gotten use to" and overlooked, not even realizing it's there anymore. You know these things: handprints or door frames, those little spots on the mirrors, the dreaded microwave or refrigerator handle- don't even get me started on blinds and windows! I even found traces of dog hair and the dog has been gone for over a month (that will be a later blog I'm sure!)

Now even if my mother-in-law did see all these things, unseen to me if I had not been cleaning, she would never say anything about it. And trust me, she's seen the good, bad and ugly!
But, I know they are there-hence the last minute scrubbing and dusting taking place today!

In school, when kids have a disagreement or something happens that I did not witness, I often said the to them, "You know in your hearts what happened." As for the grit and grime, we also know in our hearts what is there, if we are a child of God- those things that we seem to "overlook" and don't wipe away. A spot of judgmental attitudes. A stain of slander. A dusting of dirty thoughts. 
Even things like the dog hair. The "dog" may be gone from our lives, but the evidence that it had been there is still around. Sin has consequences. Sometimes we have a big mess to clean up; sometimes it's those little things that don't really seem like a big deal, that we leave alone and grow accustomed to in our lives. We straighten things up just enough to "appear" that we have it all together, spiritually. What we are left with is similar to what Jesus spoke of here:

Matthew 23:26-28

New International Version (NIV)

 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Those are His words, not mine. Just speaking what He evidently is trying to say to me! Now back to cleaning.....

Today, I let them go.

Our painted lady butterflies began hatching on Wednesday, the last day of school. I was so excited that the kids got to see them after they emerged from their cocoons. They were not all out by the time the bell rang, though, so I waited until today to release them.
There was one that did not make it, and another that had not been ready to make his temporary home when the rest of them did. He was a "late-bloomer," and had needed a little more time. Since they had been in a cup as caterpillars, once they attached to the paper in the lid, we removed them and pinned it to the side of the butterfly net. This one little guy was a little slower, so I placed a paper towel on top of the cup, hoping he would make it. Within the next day or two he had climbed to the top, hung upside down, and began his transformation process-just on a different time table than the rest of his friends.

Today, before I closed my classroom door for the last time this year, I took them outside to our school's garden to let them go. I unzipped the little side pocket, and let one light on my finger, then eased it out the side. I then realized the whole top of the netted cage would open, making their release much easier.

One by one, the found their way to the top and reached the vast world around them. The very last one was slower to find his way, so I guided him to the top. The "late-bloomer" was still in the process of transformation, so I carefully placed him on a tomato plant, hoping he finds his way in another day or so.

As I watched the wings flutter in the breeze, with the sun shining above, I thought of several things:
First, I thought of my "babies" who I had released two days ago. My precious first graders. With the tragedy at Sandy Hook at Christmas, and then the recent Oklahoma tornadoes, it has been a hard year. These little lives that had been entrusted to me now needed to be released from their time with me, where I pray some transformation took place in their lives, both in academics and character. Tears were in my eyes and several of theirs on Wednesday, as we said our goodbyes. 
Next, I of course thought of all the seniors who walked across stages this week. A huge part of their transformation has taken place in their own homes and environments. Now it is time for them to spread their wings and fly, soaring to new heights and undiscovered lands. 
Then, I thought of those today who were honored at our luncheon today, serving a combined total of over 200 years of service in education. It was now their time to fly, and move on to whatever life brings them next. I thought about other teacher friends, who are leaving us for different reasons- marriage, transfers, or other callings. Each a beautiful "painted lady," fluttering to new flowers.
I thought of my own two little caterpillars, though, not really caterpillars anymore. They are in the process of changing and growing, and are both going to be hovering at the Middle School next year, which will be the first time on or both of them won't be "going to school" with me since they were babies. 

Finally, with tear filled eyes, watching these painted ladies flitter and float to places they had not been before, I thought back to the net with two zippers and the "late-bloomer" that I had placed on the tomato plant. 
All of it, a picture of life. Sometimes, many may "arrive" before others. Sometimes, it takes us a little longer to get to where we are going. Some leave the caterpillar stage, but never make it out of the cocoon. Physically speaking, God may not intend for us to. He does tell us our days were written before one of them came to be. Spiritually speaking, that is up to us. We may choose to stay in the chrysalis, never transforming into what God intends for us to be. If we do accept His extended hand of grace to us, bringing us out of our cocoons and changing us into the butterfly He planned, we will find ourselves in a net, (a.k.a, this world,) and there will always be two ways to fly- the narrow and the wide. 
The only butterfly that was able to get out of the narrow zipper was the one that was closest to it, and was able to grasp on to my finger. Those closest to the wide, top opening easily flew out with little help from me. 


Letting go. What does it look like in your life today? 

Rescued and Recovered from the Rubble

Tonight I found myself once again wondering how I would have responded as a teacher. Another tragedy involving a school. I couldn't sleep, and turned on the TV to see that at this point, there were now 91 deaths due to the tornado in Oklahoma. Many were children, and the media was saying that the search had gone from rescue to recovery. As I took in those words, my heart ached for those mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers who were wondering if they would hear the confirmation that their loved one had not survived. As I type, I'm sure they are also awake, with a shred of hope that better news will come.

I thought about those searching, longing to hear a cry, see movement, or feel a hand reaching for their own. I pray as our side of the Earth turns it's face to the sun in the morning, the news will report of at least one of these miracles having taken place while we slept.

Rescued from the rubble. A miracle among the mess.

Much like the first two little pigs, chances are that something in the form of a big bad wolf will blow our house down. Jesus tells us this Himself when He says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Our world falls apart, and we find ourselves trapped under the debris of what is left of it. Sometimes it is due to our own decisions.....other times it is a part of the pain that for whatever reason, is filtered through the Sovereign hands of God. We cannot begin to understand that, nor why God allowed this or other devastations to happen. Yet, it all results in rubble, either physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. But, it is more than that. It is a means by which He gives us an opportunity to be rescued. Either way, miracles are able to be performed.
If the authorities are able to find some still alive, after such a horrific storm- that is a miracle. 
If one, somehow, over time is drawn to the arms of the Great Rescuer, allowing Him to hold them, amid the loss and devastation as these have experienced in the last few hours- that is a miracle. 
If they are brought to the feet of the One who sought them in their own rubble, and are able to worship in the pain-that is a miracle.

Rescue. Restore. Redeem. Revive. Retrieve. Recreate. Reform. Return. Recover. All miracles amid the rubble. 

Comfort. Peace. Grace. Hope. Faithfulness. Mercy. Strength. Sustained. All given by the Rescuer.

Praying for all. Praying for miracles.

Painted Lady

We are in the process of watching butterflies hatch in our classroom. I am hoping they will be out by the time the bell rings on our last day next week, so the kids will see the end result! Today, we moved them ever so gently (one of our adverbs we are learning about this week) from the cup to the butterfly net. I told my kids to "shhhh" because I was nervous about moving them! I was so afraid that I might hurt or damage what was now the chrysalides. We had already been able to witness the caterpillars eating and growing daily. They got bigger until they were ready to attach themselves to the paper lining on the top of the cup. As they hung upside down by a silk button, it seemed, that right before our eyes they changed from the worm-like creatures to the enclosed cocoons that will be their "home" for 7-10 days. This was actually made by them shedding their skin. Today a child noticed that one of the cocoons was wiggling around,due to whatever changes going on inside of it. I told them how neat it was that we got to see this all take place before our eyes, knowing the transformation that was taking place.

Of course, I immediately thought about the spiritual metamorphosis that occurs in a believer's life at salvation.

Then, these verses also come to mind:

2 Corinthians 5:16-18

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

But, let's go beyond that. As I watched that little cocoon wiggle around, I knew that something was happening on the inside. Just a couple of days ago, it had been a creepy, crawly little "worm with legs." Now, it had completely gotten rid of that which made it look worm-ish, and looked different. A change had been made that you could see from the outside. But more than that, there was a enormous change going on in the inside. 
Right there, in that place, I thought of spiritual growth and change that takes place in one's life. Although I could not see what was going on inside that cocoon (it would be pretty cool if we could), it was evident that something was, due to the movement. 
I SO want that to be the case in my life. I want to shed that which makes me "wormy" and allow God to make changes in me. In doing so, others will notice that something is going on inside of me. Not for me, but so that His glory can be revealed in the final transformation.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

I'm sure more often than not, I look more like the caterpillar- with legs going all over the place trying to get to the next "thing." Inching my way around when I should just get on to what God has told me to do. Caught in the silk, entangled in the things of this world that easily snare.
But I want to be in that cocoon of God's protection and grace, where He is making all things new and beautiful. There I can be changed into that which He fully intends for me to be- a painted lady, colored by the hands of the Master Artist.

Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Songs in the Night

I feel like I've written this one already. If I have, I apologize. It's just something that has been on my mind before, and was last night as well. 
I made the mistake of drinking coffee last night (again) at 8:00. Needless to say, I was up late- I got some writing done though! 
It was hot in the house, so we raised the windows. Jason was asleep pretty soon after his head hit the pillow, but as I lay there after 1am, I began to hear birds singing outside the window. It's common to hear owls around our neighborhood, but one would think these melodious songs were only played in the morning. 
I looked up birds that sing at night, and the most popular one I came up with was the northern mockingbird-definitely found around here, being our state bird. 

These nighttime tunes reminded me of a Bible study I once did, and a verse that was brought to my attention in it:

"Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,"- Job 35:10

In context, it is said by one of Job's friends who is talking to him after losing almost everything he had, including his children. 

It also reminded me of another verse:
Zephaniah 3:17

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.”

In the night- the darkest moments of our lives, God is there to sing over us. The loneliest and hardest times are those that come in the middle of the night. All is still, but when we raise the windows of our hearts and  listen, we can know that God is with us, He is mighty to save, and He gives His songs of comfort. 

If you find yourself literally in the middle of the night- or if you are in a season of "night," I pray these verses for you- and that God will not only sing over you but He will give you a song to sing too.