“Spring” Cleaning

Spring.

What comes to mind when you think of Spring?

I often think of fresh flowers, warmer weather, new growth, birds singing, and house cleaning.

Have you ever thought about what “Spring” may mean for our Christian lives?

I was sitting on our couch looking out our big living room window. We have a tree that hangs over in front of the window that is clothed with lush green leaves. About a month ago they were just little buds.

I started to think about my own life. Have I shed any of the old self lately and put on the new “Spring” look? Spring often brings the thoughts of garage sales and spring cleaning. I remember growing up my mom would give the house a good clean – though honestly, it was always clean – but a spring clean meant a DEEP clean. As in wash all the bedding, wash all the windows, screens, everything. What have I tried to wash out of my life so that I can look new inside? What is collecting cobwebs in my heart?

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Have I not shown any of these fruits in awhile? What does my “fruit” tree look like? I’ll be honest and say that I do not always have all these fruits on my tree.

What do I need to spring clean in my own life so that I can have new growth and so that God can grow these fruits listed above?

As I think about that question, I can’t help but be drawn to the thoughts of what will grow in its place. I hear the birds singing as I type. I feel the cool breeze through our giant window. I see everything so green – a promise from God that new life will come.

Do I desire that new life enough to rid myself of the old? Do I “shed” myself of dying leaves (like the fall) so that I leave room for new growth?

Something to think about and something I ponder daily.