Normally when we think of Spring Cleaning we think of our homes. It is the time of year when we open the doors and windows of our homes to get rid of the musty smell built up over the long winter months. We dust off the ceiling fans, scrub the baseboards, vacuum under furniture. We uncover the hidden and bring it into the light, clean it and make it shine. What if we did that very same thing with our hearts? What if we did Spring Cleaning in our hearts? What if we examined our lives, brought into the light the things behind closed doors hidden in the dark rooms of our soul? In this season where color begins to replace the greyness of winter why not bring that beauty, that freshness, that newness into our hearts?
I am not saying there is some deep dark sin in your life. But each of us have things in our lives that we push aside; things we wish weren’t the way they are. Yet we never really turn and face them. Why not bring life and blessings into those dark corners where unforgiveness or hard-heartedness have crept in? Or maybe you’ve just become passive and apathetic, which can be just as deadly. No condemnation. Just let Him bring His light into those dark places. Let Him change your heart so it shines with His love. Don’t know where to start? Ask Him. He knows what you are ready and able to face in yourself. He will lovingly guide you.
If you need more specific guidance, examine these areas of your life:
1. Spiritual – This is the most critical area of your life. It you neglect this area it affects every other area! Do you spend time with Jesus, getting to know Him more fully? Do you live a life that feeds your spirit positively? Did you make some new year’s resolutions in this area of your life? Are you keeping them? If so, great! Just spend some time reviewing them and examining your heart in this arena of your life. If you didn’t set any goals or you haven’t kept the ones you’ve set, why not use this growing season to start! His mercies are new every morning, right? Don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t set goals or haven’t been keeping them. Just start with a clean slate. Let this time of renewal in nature overflow into renewal in your spiritual life. Ask Him to guide you. Try journaling to track your progress and relationship with Him. The most important thing you can do in this area is just to spend time with Jesus. You cannot become more like Him if you do not continue to deepen your relationship with Him. Spend time with Him. Take a walk with Him. Listen to music with Him. Sit in silence with Him. Just be with Him. Let Him transform you.
2. Ministry – Are you touching other people’s lives “as you go”. The simple things in life mean so much to others: That hug for the elderly woman who lives alone, sitting on her front porch as you walk around the block, that prayer for the friend in the grocery store aisle, that offer to watch a new mom’s children so she and her husband can spend some time together. These are all simple ways to touch other people’s lives in the normal course of your life. You do not need a title nor do you need to devote a large amount of time in order to minister to people. To minister means to serve or to attend to the needs of another. Jesus touched people’s lives as He crossed their paths. As He was going about His own life mission, He reached out and impacted the people in His path. Yes, sometimes the Father calls us to go somewhere specific, to do something specific. When He does we should go and do. But how many lives could we greatly impact if we just begin to look for ways to minister to and bless others as we go about our normal routine? Begin to see the people you cross paths with everyday as people you can touch with the love and life of Jesus. One of the easiest ways to do this is to change your mindset about church. Most people go to church to receive. They expect to be blessed by the worship and motivated by the sermon. They expect others to pray for their needs. What if you went to church with the mindset to give? What if you were on the lookout for people who look like they could use a hug and an extra prayer? What if you determined to say something encouraging to every person with whom you interacted? This outlook should not only be applied to church but anytime you cross paths with another human being. An unfathomable amount of ministry can be done without ever changing your routine, only changing your mindset.
3. Family – Do you need to do some Spring Cleaning in your family? Perhaps in your immediate family, your extended family, or your spiritual family? Are there relationships that need to be reconciled? Do you want to spend more time with your children or your husband? Again, no condemnation. Start today. Set some Spring goals. Determine to have new beginnings. View your family as your ministry. Set out to serve them. Determine to show the life and love of Jesus inside your home as well as outside. A smile, when you feel like frowning, a soft answer when you feel like screaming, a “yes” when “no” wants to roll off your lips, these are all simple ways you can impact the hearts in your home. Again, a shift in outlook can open the doors to bringing life and blessings into our home.
Do you want to see new growth sprout in your life this Spring? It’s time for some Spring Cleaning. Spring Cleaning, though hard work, brings a freshness, a newness into our homes after a long, often hard winter. This Spring let that newness, that freshness spill over to your heart. Let Him begin to sprout new growth in your life, your heart, and your home today.
© Machelle Baker
Linked up with Christian Fellowship Friday, Fellowship Fridays, Faith Filled Fridays, Imparting Grace, Beauty Observed, Essential Fridays, Thoughtful Spot, and Wedded Wednesday
Machelle is a native Texan who values liberty. She has homeschooled six of her children at some point during their educational experience. She continues to home educate the youngest two. One way she expresses her passion for helping others is as a Crisis Chaplain. Some of the disasters to which she has deployed and ministered at are: the Bastrop, TX wildfire (2011), the West, TX plant explosion (2013), the Moore, OK F5 tornado (2013), and the Central Texas flood (October 2013), the Memorial Day Blanco River flood (2015), Hurricane Harvey (2017), the Sutherland Springs church shooting (2017), and most recently the El Paso Wal-Mart shooting (2019). She also currently serves a Regional Deputy Commander for the International Fellowship of Chaplains.
March 21, 2014 @ 2:16 pm
What a lovely way to spring clean ones life. you have touched on this subject beautifully.
Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) recently posted…Eggless Strawberry Cupcakes
March 23, 2014 @ 2:54 pm
Thank you Nayna. I am enjoying putting “pen to paper” again. I am glad you stopped by for a visit.
Machelle recently posted…Looking Beyond the Surface: 100 Day Blog Challenge
March 21, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
Beautiful post Machelle. If we tended our relationships as well as we tend our belongings, the world would be a beautiful place. Blessings 🙂
Dynamo Di recently posted…When things go wrong … (part 1)
March 23, 2014 @ 2:58 pm
Yes Dynamo, that is so true. Relationships are so important in life! I enjoyed visiting your blog.
Machelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions
March 21, 2014 @ 3:11 pm
This is a nice, “refreshing” way to look at spring-cleaning. Lovely. Thank you for providing us with some food for thought as we approach this new season. Peace to you.
Jeanne Melanson recently posted…96 year old Fred Stobaugh Writes Sweet Lorraine Song for Wife of 75 yrs
March 23, 2014 @ 3:03 pm
Thank you Jeanne. I love Spring with it’s refreshing outlook on the year. Life & Blessings to you!
Machelle recently posted…Laundry Leviathan
March 21, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
Great sentiment – we all need to routinely examine our hearts and motivation.
Clara recently posted…How I’m Making Money Online
March 24, 2014 @ 7:46 am
Thanks Clara. Clara was my great-grandmother’s name : )
Machelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions: Saying “Yes”
March 21, 2014 @ 10:14 pm
This is a great reminder. I find myself naturally always wanting to clean up things in the spring (and not just the house!). My journal gets out. The budget may get revamped. I may start new projects I feel the Lord leading me to…thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Rachael @ Diamonds in the Rough
March 24, 2014 @ 7:50 am
You’re welcome Rach. I love the refreshing time of Spring! By the way, my daughter’s name is Rachel. We often call her Rach. I’m glad you took the time to participate in my blog.
Machelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions: Reading & Writing
March 21, 2014 @ 10:14 pm
Awesome read!! Many so many things to do this spring. thank you for the reminders! I’m so happy that i have those 3 guidance of mine.
Richard Harer recently posted…How to do a Free Background check
March 24, 2014 @ 7:52 am
Thanks Richard. Yes Spring is a busy time. I pray you accomplish all the things you need to do this season. Life & Blessings to you.
Machelle recently posted…The Process of Growing
March 22, 2014 @ 4:23 am
You’re quite right. We should do this on a regular basis and spring is the perfect time. Only this morning, I apologized to my husband for snapping at him yesterday. I shouldn’t let pain drag my mood down. Neither should I take it out on him.
Francene Stanley recently posted…Of sea salt, dark chocolate, and abiding sense of smell.
March 24, 2014 @ 9:43 pm
Francene, apologies are part of what keeps our hearts right! Admitting we were wrong, asking forgiveness is critical. Keep it up.
Machelle recently posted…Valentine’s Day: A Change in Perspective
March 22, 2014 @ 5:20 am
This is such a beautiful post Michelle! Cleaning bathrooms and hoovering seem to be my main jobs in our house!
Ps- I love this font! 🙂
Sophie Bowns recently posted…Azure- Chapter 63
March 24, 2014 @ 9:45 pm
Thank you Sophie! I am glad you like the font. I was a little concerned that it was difficult to read. However, I really like it too 🙂
Machelle recently posted…Christmas Decorations Put Away
March 22, 2014 @ 6:59 am
Great reminder and confirmation to what needs to be done.
March 24, 2014 @ 9:47 pm
Thanks Chantea. We all need reminders and confirmations in our lives. I am glad you came by for a visit.
Machelle recently posted…Laundry Leviathan
March 22, 2014 @ 10:40 am
Great encouragement to take care of those things that really matter. I will spend some time with The Lord listening to which areas He would like to makes changes in me. A couple you have mentioned already have sparked a flame within. I was next to you at Essential Fridays.
Janis@Heart-Filled Moments recently posted…Friendships That Go the Distance
March 24, 2014 @ 9:49 pm
Janis, flames are great! Let Him fan them and give you the determination to do what He leads you to do.
Machelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions
#FellowshipFridays 14 and Featured Post - Christian Mommy Blogger
March 23, 2014 @ 1:09 am
[…] Kingdom Life & Blessings: Spring Cleaning […]
March 23, 2014 @ 2:35 am
Hi Machelle,
Wonderful post indeed 🙂
I know Spring is in the air and everyone’s busy writing about spring and spring cleaning and what all to do. Your post was a little different because it made us think beyond the usual and of what all we still need to do. Yes, sometimes even our relationships and family issues need to be resolved and cleaned up, which we can by pumping new life into it, isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing – a nice reminder to get started myself. Happy weekend 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted…SYPS: Are You Facing These Family Problems in Your Life
March 24, 2014 @ 9:53 pm
Harleena, Spring is ‘finally’ in the air! Thank you for your kind words. Blessings and new life to you in all the areas that need “cleaning up” 🙂
Machelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions
March 23, 2014 @ 1:48 pm
There is always a need for spring cleaning in my heart. Actually, summer, fall and winter cleaning as well. 🙂
Clara @A Slice of Homeschool Pie recently posted…Giveaway: The Pilgrim’s Progress Audio Dramatization – Digital MP3 by Orion’s Gate
March 24, 2014 @ 9:56 pm
Clara, it’s so true isn’t it? It’s really a daily thing 🙂 But the seasons give us a time to focus on some larger areas. Life & Blessings to you.
Machelle recently posted…Laundry Leviathan
March 27, 2014 @ 11:39 am
Thank you for the gentle challenge. Very good reminders to let some Light and air into our dark places.
Thank you again for sharing at Beauty Observed! I hope to see you again on Friday 🙂
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth recently posted…The Beauty of Contentment and Gerbera Daisies
April 16, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
You’re welcome. I, of course, am challenging myself as much as others : ) Thanks for hosting the link-up at Beauty Observed.
Machelle Baker recently posted…Eggsellent (Non-Sugar) Easter Egg Fillers
March 30, 2014 @ 8:33 pm
This is a beautiful post!
Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot. I hope you drop by and share with us again next week.
Jill recently posted…E.H.M. Monthly Meal Planner – April 2014
April 16, 2014 @ 8:38 pm
Thanks Jill. I enjoy the Thoughtful Spot.
Machelle Baker recently posted…Eggsellent (Non-Sugar) Easter Egg Fillers
April 22, 2014 @ 11:43 pm
Spring cleaning is a must! In both our physical and spiritual world. Out with the old, in with the new. Change can be scary but it definitely builds character. I enjoyed your post.
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