Spring Cleaning – Jeremiah 29:11-13
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. It’s also a time for cleaning. When the birds start chirping and the temps start rising, it’s time to open the windows, let the fresh breeze in, and begin the spring cleaning. Let’s be honest here, no one really likes to dig into that cluttered closet or attack the murky, water-spotted windows. What we like is the after effect. The sun streaming through sparkling windows and all the extra storage space.
This is like the housekeeping steps in many recovery programs, number 5 being key: We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. No one likes to dig into the murky, clutter of our resentments, fears, and other wrongs. It’s not fun shining a light into these corners and crevices, sweeping up the dust bunnies of humiliation, and taking a hard look at the cobwebs mocking our fears.
This is the hard work of real housecleaning. Then to take all of that “dirty laundry” and share it with another person. To let them see the worst of us, the parts we were to afraid to share all along, that sort of cleaning is difficult and easy to put off, but for those of us who have been through the process and walk other sponsees through it, once complete, you can take a deep breath, look around, and really feel like you’ve accomplished something. It is no different that standing in the middle of your home, where clutter and mess existed everywhere, to now take in a deep breath of fresh air with no muss anywhere. You will be liberated. You will be free. You will have a sense of direction and purpose you’d not yet felt. You will be well on the way to a real and lasting recovery, never to be burdened again with that many dust bunnies or cobwebs.
For me, the prior steps are pivotal to the real success in the remainder. To put it more succinctly, without a solid 3rd step, turning my will over to God, I couldn’t really do the hard work of the housecleaning steps. For me, I had to trust that God had my back, that He (She) wanted me to do this work, and that He (She) would make all things right if I surrendered my will. It’s like God offers the cleaning solutions to get the really hard work done. He’s the Mr. Clean of my program.
If you’re not there yet, I get that. This is a process for all of us. We are all on our own journey. Just keep asking the Loving Spirit of the Universe what you should do next and to show you the way. He (She) promises to be there for you. In fact, many people love the promise contained in Jeremiah 29:11, but honestly and without question, I find the following two verses even more impactful:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Full of promise. If you don’t yet have a sponsor, mentor, or Spiritual counselor that has done this work and is willing to share their experience, connect with local resources to find someone to help you with the heavy lifting.
Dearest Heavenly Father (Mother), fear and resentments can keep us blocked from your loving light. Please help give us the courage to dig in and take a serious look at these defects so that we might heal and be of greater purpose to Your will. Connect with us. Strengthen us and please bring people into our lives to help guide us in this process. In Your Mighty Name…
Bring your prayer requests forward. I love our Spiritual connection.