Lent is a time for spring cleaning – in my heart. It’s a time for airing out, dusting, washing, polishing, straightening up and ordering my heart – a season for clearing out whatever doesn’t belong there, whatever keeps my heart from its best and healthiest desires, thoughts and deeds.
Of course, most of this spring cleaning is God’s work, not mine. Left to my own devices, I’ll put off this interior cleaning for as long as I can… I make the mistake of thinking that I have to do all the work — when all I really need to do is just get out of the way and let God do what God does best…
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and steadfast spirit in my soul…
(Psalm 51:12)
to make room for you
to do all you want to do,
and to change in my heart
renew my heart, replenish my heart,
as first you made it to be…
Nourish what makes my heart strong, Lord
and wherever my heart has grown weak,
make it steadfast, pure and true;
heal and mend my broken heart
with your Spirit, your mercy and grace…
Create in me a clean heart, Lord:
put a new and steadfast spirit in my soul…
Amen.
