Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

I have several thoughts swirling around my head on this topic today; washing machines, mops and sin/change.

As I was cleaning today, I was doing an ordinary thing-preparing a bucket of water to mop. I rinsed the mop-because it seems there is always a little dirty water left when I finish the previous time, and filled the bucket with hot soapy water. I proceeded to mop my living room floors. Now, this is a job because I have puppy dogs, a backyard that seems to grow mud (!) and it is Ohio which means we have rain!  You can imagine how much dust and dirt I sweep up daily! Today, however, was the day to move the couch and sweep and try to get to the areas I can’t always reach on a daily basis. This also includes emptying my bucket repeatedly and starting with clean water to get the job done well. On one of those empty and refills I began to realize the method I follow each and every time; empty the bucket, put in some clean water, agitate the mop to clean it out, empty the bucket, and repeat. I usually go through this cycle about four times just to get a clean bucket of soapy water! Did I mention dogs and muddy feet?! I began to realize something else in the process of cleaning the mop; I actually agitate the mop in the water much like a washing machine. I push it up and down, I swirl it, I really work it to get the dirt and grime out of the mop so I can start with as fresh a bucket of water as possible. Suddenly the word agitate popped into my head! Now, that made me begin to think about washing machines and how the agitators in them to work the clothes and get them clean. Then, I immediately began to think about how God gets me clean from sin. Sometimes, He uses agitation to get the job done!

Agitation is the method God uses when He allows strife to enter our lives. Just like a washing machine works and turns clothes to get them clean and get the dirt out, God reaches into our lives and twists, turns, and moves things about to remove the dirt. Just as I did on this day. Plus, at times it requires a more intense and thorough cleaning; so furniture is moved to get into those areas that are missed on daily cleaning. God knows what to clean and how best to accomplish that!

Dear God , give encouragement to all who come across our page and read these words. I Pray they find understanding and healing! I pray that these words give them a light and direction to you! Amen.

In Him, now and forever,

Sandra Sanders, boundless trust