(A post from the past)
The other day I was standing in my guest bathroom, looking for fine lines and wrinkles primping in front of the mirror, when I looked down at the sink and saw it.
I had to glance a little closer. Was that REALLY a ring of grime around the faucet? Really?! After I had threatened them within an inch of their lives asked so sweetly for them to do a good job on the bathrooms, they still left grime around the faucet?!
And then the frustration flooded in.
“Am I the ONLY ONE around here who can clean the bathroom well? Does no one know what it means to actually scrub the sink? Don’t they KNOW that I keep an old toothbrush under the sink just for this purpose? What did they think it was for anyway…my backup toothbrush in case mine got stolen? How could they not SEE that ring of dirt? Are they blind?!”I was going to tell them what for! I needed to SHOW them the dirt they missed! I needed to bring them into the bathroom and point out the grime around the faucet so they would really SEE it! Really know WHAT the dirt was…WHERE it was…and what THEY needed to do to be BETTER at cleaning the bathrooms!
And then I heard Him. He whispered to me…quietly, “Dear daughter of mine. Stop. . Look into your heart.” “What do see there?”
Dirt. Grime. Blackness.
“But I don’t see that anymore, I see the heart of my child, covered with the grace of my Son. Stop looking for the fault (dirt, grime) in your children. Stop expecting them to live up to expectations that you my daughter yourself cannot live up too. Be gentle with them. Be content with them. Love them like I love them. See them like I see them.”
And then I really SAW it.
Not the ring of dirt and grime around the bathroom faucet, but the ring of dirt and grime around my own heart. That ring that drives me to criticize those I love most. The ring that causes me to lash out in anger and frustration instead of love and gentleness.
Not the ring of dirt and grime around the bathroom faucet, but the ring of dirt and grime around my own heart. That ring that drives me to criticize those I love most. The ring that causes me to lash out in anger and frustration instead of love and gentleness.
Grime around a bathroom faucet is not harmful. A broken spirit is though. I do not want to be a spirit breaker. That is not my job. It is God’s job. For He will do it with a gentleness that my flesh cannot. He then reminded me what the Word says about this:
“How can you say to your brother (child) ‘Brother (child), let me take out the speck (grime) that is in your eye (life),‘ when you yourself do not see the log (grime) that is in your own eye (life)? You hypocrite, first take the log (grime) out of your own eye (life), and then you will see clearly to take out the speck (grime) that is in your brother’s eye (child’s life). Luke 6:42
I quietly made my way back into the bathroom. I pulled out that old toothbrush and gave my faucet a quick cleaning. I wiped it down and glanced around. The bathroom was neat and clean. I had played such a small part in that. The kids really HAD done a good job. I turned off the light and went to thank them for cleaning the bathroom so well.
He whispered to me again.. “Well done daughter.”
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:6-10
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One of my favorite verses.
What a great message. Thanks for sharing…I needed to hear this message.
Jennifer
What a wonderful Ah Ha moment. It is hard to see the big picture sometimes when we are focused on the little faults, isn’t it? A good lesson- Blessings- xo Diana
My children are all grown up and in their own homes. I’m not sure if they have bathrooms as clean as I would like but their spirits are beautiful in spite of the times I yelled. Thanks for a sweet start to my Sunday morning.
Wow. Thank you. I needed to hear (read?) this today.
Thanks Heather. This touched my heart & brought tears to my eyes! We love those children of yours!
Mom
Oh, heather. I completely understand you… I hate dirty bathrooms as well, and would hate to see dirt and grime on the sink!
Thanks for sharing…. Have a great day!
ciao bella
sensible sarah
I needed this more than you will ever know today, Heather. Thank you for allowing God to guide your spirit in a way that leads you to share with those who need it. Bless You. Janice
This was beautiful. I don’t have little ones at home, but I feel this way at times when my husband helps or, even, about a sweet lady that helps me often. Thank you!
Thank you Heather. That was a blessing. I SO struggle in this area.
Amen! such a great word!
Such truth in these words!Thank you for this quiet blessing I needed to hear this today:)Have a blessed week! Deidre~ http://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com
Oh, BTDT far too many times. And sometimes I hear Him and obey, but I have to admit, not always. Thanks for another great post.
Janet
I am guilty of this same thing with my husband. I needed to read that today! Thanks for posting!
Oh girl, preach! My heart identifies with your words. Thanks for sharing and for the encouragement
xo,
lauren
http://www.mercyinkblog.com
Thanks so much for this post. I have been struggling with “perceived imperfections” with a precious child this past week and so very much needed to read this. God truly does put “people” and “posts” in our paths when we need them the most.
Such a sweet reminder of His love for us! Thank you for sharing this precious story! I think we can all see ourselves here! Blessings!
I found this in my inbox today as I was catching up on email. It was a timely reminder, as I’ve been dealing with pain-induced crankiness in my own life over the last week or so. It’s never pretty and it’s always sinful, no matter what my excuse may be.
Thanks for gently admonishing me!