What's that Smell?

Holiday groceries are bulging in my fridge as we prepare for family coming to visit us (yes, we will be hosting in our cute little apartment :) )  I finally got to the back of the refrigerator, most of all because I had to, in order to make room, and I wondered...isn't this what God is always doing with us?  Cleaning out the old and making room for the new?  The fresh winds of His Spirit that will carry us a few more weeks, days, months?

I know that it is easy for me to just ignore the bad smells every once in a while (hey, I'm not the only one, okay!?) in both my fridge and my heart.  The dish that tasted good a week ago is now looking green, and I think of my heart, and that sin that started out so innocently, and has grown and grown....and grown....and now it smells, and not like the aroma of Christ, either!

It is time for a heart inventory.  That's what David thought when he said, Search me, Oh God!  (Psalms)  I am learning to come more quickly to my Father when I start smelling a foul odor, and repenting so that I can be cleansed and filled anew.  What a blessing and privilege as children of God, that our sins are not held against us!  What friend do you know that will forget all your blunders and continually lavish you with love?  Well, I have some great friends and a darling husband, but I'm sure they remember some of my faults and have to work to love me at times....

This Christmas, would you clean out your heart as I do the same?  Come to Christ anew, and make way for the blessings of Grace that He is wanting to pour into your heart, your story....

And don't worry, I'll be getting the refrigerator cleaned up and ready for my guests too!  I might even send you some photos of our lovely time together....How blessed it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!  I pray your Christmas gatherings are lovely and full of love.

Blessings
Ruth