Gunky Musings
Granted, I am not the best housekeeper in the world. But good grief! I had no idea!
This featured image is the top of my toaster oven after I had worked on it a while. You can imagine what it looked like before I started! It’s all about the angle and perspective, you see. I consistently wipe up crumbs from the bottom of the toaster. Below the food tray, it is clean as a whistle. There were some grease splatters above where the metal tray always sits so I thought I could wipe them off with a little Krud Kutter and a quick swipe.
UGH!
When I turned that rascal upside down to get a better angle for scrubbing, I was shocked!
I added more Krud Kutter, then Dawn dish soap, and scrubbed away with a white eraser. Next came the green scratchy pad. Then the knife. By the time I got it halfway clean, I was spraying it down with hot water hoping to loosen some of the gunk. Again – UGH!
I’m letting it dry for a day or two and praying I didn’t irreparably damage it in my possibly over zealous attempt. It is a handy little appliance. But if I killed it, at least it got a little clean before its final demise.
Which brings me to the object lesson of the day. No surprise there.
As I scoured and used every ounce of elbow grease I had in me, I got to thinking serious things.
Sometimes, I know exactly what my life gunk entails, and I can easily see my faults.
There are times, when others with a different perspective can see my failings. Oft times, I am told about them.
Then there are times when my defects and outright sins are so deeply imbedded, I don’t see them. Others can’t see those flaws either. Maybe because of the mask I inadvertently or intentionally wear. Perhaps I have yet to grow into a spiritual maturity where I would recognize those transgressions. I don’t know.
But I’m working on it. Just as I am getting my eyes fine tuned after eye surgery, I can get my heart fine tuned daily. Asking forgiveness for deliberate sins is a daily no brainer. God’s cleanup is guaranteed for a sincere soul. Even habitual offenses can be forgiven and with God’s grace, I can overcome them.
Those rascally sins of omission are harder to define and address. I’ve got to think on that some more before I share any ‘words of wisdom.’ Are sins of omission things like not extending kindness? For an introvert like me, it is easier to stay uninvolved. When I don’t witness to a person when that inner voice of God urges me to?
According to the definition in Got Questions, sins of omission are ones when I choose to not do the right thing. James 4:17 speaks of knowing to do what is right and not doing it. Jesus described the Father’s opinions about ignoring the physical and emotional needs of others. At that point, let’s just say He’s not a Happy Camper! Guaranteed!
Galatians 6 has a rather strange admonishment with which I struggle. I often grow tired of doing the things I have been called to do and simply give up. That is probably a double whammy of commission and omission. Argh!
Anyway.
The next time I do some serious cleaning, I will be pondering more on this. Probably every time I clean anything for a while! Argh!
Blessings
Kara Beth
