March 29, 2009

Read Psalm 51: 1-12

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. –Psalm 51:1-2

Of all the reasons I look forward to the season of spring, spring cleaning nears the top of my list. While to some it may be a dreaded undertaking, to me it is an opportunity to review and assess, sort through and throw out maybe, too.

Every year it seems I commence the task with high expectations. Initially, it feels refreshing to drag everything out, re-evaluate its functionality, and discard what is deemed unnecessary. It doesn’t take long however, before I’ve emptied every last drawer and my once-good intentions are now sprawled over my entire apartment. Suddenly, what began as a pretty straightforward task has quickly become something a bit more overwhelming.

In Psalm 51, David is engaging in the ultimate act of soul cleansing. He is confessing his wrongdoings and as he sorts through his sins, is asking for God’s help. In this Psalm, David provides us with a model for confessing our sins to God. His example instructs us to simply acknowledge our sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. Spring cleaning is, in the simplest sense, an opportunity to clear away our self-made obstacles and begin anew.

God who makes all things new, I come before you, believing in faith that you know me by my true heart. Here I stand, in my nakedness and need, recognizing in my very vulnerability, the hope offered by your "steadfast love." Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me for it is your love alone that will hear me and heal me. Amen.

Kalen Brune lives in Clayton and loves her job as a school social worker!