Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (KJV)

My first notice of spring's coming happened while looking at a sunset through my office window. The beauty of the moment quickly disappeared in the light of the sun's golden rays, for it revealed the need to start some spring cleaning.

While I washed away the tell-tale signs of winter, I thought on how the dirt had gone unnoticed for so long. During the grey, overcast days it was easy to ignore. Easy, that is, until the sun's light shone like a spotlight and made me aware that it was time for a clean-up.

Over the years, I've noticed that there are times when finding God in my life seemed about as clear as looking through my dirty window. There were situations where I found myself doubting His love and doubting His care — times when God seemed far away. Our relationship was cloudy — no longer crystal clear.

It was during one of those periods that I was reminded of a song I heard years ago, Bring Back the Springtime, by Kurt Kaiser. The words of the refrain say,

Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime,
Take away the cold and dark of sin;
O refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit.
May I warm and tender be again.

If we have allowed busyness to crowd the time we normally devote to maintaining our relationship with God, or if times for prayer and reflection have been pushed aside, we need a spring cleaning. Once we allow God to remove the clutter that has crowded our lives, the picture will become clear, and we will see God's love again.

Prayer: Dear God, help us even now, as we pray the words of King David in today's verse: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Amen.

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About the author:

Elaine Ingalls Hogg <authorhogg@yahoo.ca>
Smiths Creek, New Brunswick, Canada
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