Sponge Scrubber
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Call me eccentric, but I really like doing dishes! (And no, I am not coming over to your house any time soon.) Growing up on the farm, there were always sky-high piles to do because everything was made from scratch. Even then, I did not mind. We always had an abundance of dish rags. Today, however, I use a sponge scrubber.
There are times when that yellow and green thing is as hard as can be. I like to see how fast it will soak up the warm soapy water and become usable. Sometimes as I enter the kitchen, I recognize that smell of bacteria that has taken up residence in that little scrubber. A good dose of anti-bacterial Dawn usually does the trick. When the multi-purposed rectangle gets worn out, starts to fall apart, and loses its shape, then it goes in the trash and I simply get a new one out and the process starts all over.
Perhaps you are wondering where I am going with this story. Well, have you ever thought of yourself as a sponge? We tend to soak up what is around us without any effort; good, bad or indifferent. We take it in minute by minute. We are bombarded and easily swayed by the media with so many subliminal messages every single day. They want us totally convinced that we all need a new Dodge Ram 4x4 pick up or some new medication that has more side effects than the problem we currently are experiencing.
Just like that little stinky sponge, I think we all need to be squeezed and purified often. Both can be extremely painful but there is nothing that compares with that clean, fresh feeling. There are many opportunities to be softened as we absorb God’s Word and rest in His Presence. When I am doing the dishes, I find that my mind wanders all over the place. I can also tell you that some of my deepest prayers have been offered while standing at the kitchen sink with soapy hands, gazing out into the yard.
The good news is that none of us are going to be thrown in the trash. God just keeps on using us over and over…again and again.
Father God, help us to be willing to get squeezed and cleaned up for the work You have for us to further Your Kingdom. AMEN.