Is God into Toothbrush Cleaning?

Spring-cleaning . . . yeah, I know. It’s not spring yet, but I’m thinking ahead. In the spring, I am out in the garden and no inside cleaning gets done. At least, not the thorough kind. So I am starting the New Year with spring-cleaning. The kitchen is getting it right now.

Spring-cleaning for me means empty everything, discard ruthlessly, scour thoroughly, and if necessary, use a toothbrush and Comet. It is nasty work. I’ve been thinking about this work that engages me at the moment. I began to wonder “Is God into toothbrush cleaning?”

 I used to think he was, but long ago I discarded that notion. Now, don’t misunderstand me. I believe that God cleans. Our souls need emptying. Some unhealthy parts need to be discarded and scoured. And yes, sometimes a toothbrush is necessary to reach those small crannies lodged with crud. But as I was toothbrush scrubbing, there came a point when I had to say, “Oh, the heck with it.”

Personally, I think that is what God does. Sure, he does a bit of toothbrush scrubbing in my soul. But why would he waste his time working some tiny cruddy place when the rest of my soul needs an overhaul? In addition to that, I could spend a lot of time chastising myself over the tiny crud and neglect the larger areas that are getting messier and messier.

I’d rather acknowledge the crud, invite a bit of God’s toothbrush cleaning, and then say, “Oh, the heck with it. There’s another area over here that needs to be emptied, discarded, and scoured.”