Exposed, Broken and Restored

On June 23 the movers will come and pack our things and off we go to what is ahead. I am knee deep in sorting, tossing, rummaging through every closet, under every bed, Goodwill runs, making lists. I love finding things I have looked for that were missing as soon as we moved in and I love finding little surprises that I haven't seen in a long time. When these little hidden things appear, I smile. But when the junk comes out from the closets and corners into piles all over the house, I know what's coming. A true cleansing. Even deeper than my once- in -a -blue -moon -spring cleaning. I know all the deepest, darkest, dustiest places in my home will become bare. They will be EXPOSED.

So will my heart.


I believe this is a picture about de-cluttering and purging my own "closets" and "corners."  He is cleaning house in my own heart! The heaviness wells up. I sense God asking me to sweep the corners of my heart and mind and take some stuff to the trash. I have let certain places remain untouched. I have allowed areas become hardened, blackened, even clouded. It seems to have slowly seeped in. I haven't seen it like this because I don't want to be EXPOSED. It's better for it to stay hidden. My eyes are opened and I realize I can't stay here.  I am BROKEN.  My secret places are being EXPOSED in the light of God's great presence and what piles have accumulated in my heart must be tossed and removed.

Yet, in this brokenness, I am hopeful only to be made whole. Heavy-hearted only to be encouraged. Being EXPOSED means a change must take place. Or, I can choose to stay the same and dwell.
 ( No, thanks)  Being EXPOSED means being willing to be washed and cleansed, being willing to be renewed. I sense my perspective shifting, changing and I release these untouched corners of my heart to Him. The ones I have held on tightly far too long become EXPOSED for His holiness and purity to invade me.  I come to Him and sit at His feet, BROKEN, only to find...

I have been RESTORED.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:17

It's good to be BROKEN.







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