"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." ~Isaiah 1:18
When we have our new decks installed, Danny and I both fall in love with the natural shade of the new wood. We want to simply stain the new addition, not add a paint layer to it, but our crew convinces us that a stain covering won't prevent the deck from graying over time. Since we want the decks to contrast with the rustic red of our house, we decide on a blonde hue with which to grace our decks.
We can't figure out why our contractors, as experienced as they are, don't warn us of the extra effort it will take on our part to keep the surface spotless.
When we get rain, just rain, the stains appear. Yes, just the droplets, hitting a leaf or pine debris is enough to leave unwelcomed spots behind. And if more rain is in the forecast, we have to be content with the residue until a dry spell presents the opportunity to cleanse them again.
Unanticipated work? You bet! Something most retirees don't look forward to!
But in all of this inconvenience, there is an unmistakable redeeming factor.
It takes effort and determination not only to restore our decks to their intended purpose, but to purge ourselves of the sins and transgressions that seem into our lives when we become too placid and passive in trusting that we are stainless in God's sight. Being saved isn't a one-and-done process; we have to actively pursue the Lord and His will for us, allowing Him to scrub us clean when we commit the unintentional sin or succumb to worldly temptations.
And thankfully, as Isaiah assures us, the Lord will cleanse and comfort us, presenting us stainless in His eyes.
But we must repent, ask forgiveness, and be willing to do all that is in our ability to aid God in His purposes.
Until we confess, and submit fully to God's will, there is nothing He can or will do for us.
Let us pray to become stainless and blameless in His sight.
Amen!
More work then you expected such things are annoying but not life ending just annoying
ReplyDeleteJust annoying, Jo-Anne, I agree. We can certainly cope with a bit of inconvenience now and then.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, and amen.
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Barbara.
DeleteLove and blessings!
This sounds like my life the past few weeks. Installing exterior accent lights became "Oh, look, a loose piece of siding; call your roofer" became "you need a new roof" became "your chimney needs tuckpointing" became "you need a new chimney cap" became "your flue liner is rusted but we don't handle that."
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a homeowner's nightmare, Glynn! Thank goodness God knows how to mend and attend to every shortcoming in our lives.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, washed white in His precious blood. Well said, Martha. Amen.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Terri! What would we do if we didn't have the cleansing power of Jesus's blood?
DeleteLove and blessings!
That's a wonderful analogy! Life was never meant to be easy, but paying attention to the details? The result is so worth it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Myra! Jesus never said He came to make life easy for us, but He always makes it worth living.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wow, what a good illustration. Thank you, Martha. Made me stop and think. It also reminded me that we need to do some refreshing on our decks...they need to be pressure washed and a new stain/sealant put on them I think. I've thought about painting at least the front deck, but not sure how that will look. We do get so many oak leaves on the decks and they do stain the wood. Home ownership always has its extra responsibilities, as does "home ownership" of our own bodies, the Temple of God's Holy Spirit. We do need regular "maintenance" to keep our temples spotless. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this illustration here, Pamela. Our physical homes and our spiritual ones do require maintenance to keep them healthy and vibrant. It's always the time for spring cleaning!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Do I want a deck of natural wood? I'm thinking. Nope. I had that at one place and quickly grew tired of the maintenance needed. Today, our ranch has no deck nor a place for one. If it did, I would push for one of those composite ones which are virtually maintenance free. But I'm glad you and Danny enjoy all the extra work! But more than that, I'm glad I am continually covered by the forgiving and cleansing blood of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill! What a joy it is for us to know we are covered and cleansed by the healing and cleansing blood of Jesus! Danny is off to clean the decks today as we have sunshine. I'll let him enjoy himself - lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteLinda reflexão, precisamos todos os dias pedir perdão a Deus e procurar viver uma vida que agrade a Ele, um forte abraço.
We certainly do, Lucinalva. What would we do without His precious forgiveness?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Maybe u can re stain next time also
ReplyDeleteWe've thought about using a darker color, Christine, but we just recently had the decks done, so a repaint isn't in the cards at the moment. We will live with it!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You'll just have to keep an eye on your deck as it ages. Sometimes these little annoyances can seem overwhelming but with God's help and love nothing is impossible.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful evening, Marha.
We will most definitely keep our eyes on it, Bill. Danny cleaned it just yesterday and it looks brand new again! Yes, it's worth the extra effort.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praise God for his grace that cleanses and refreshes our spirits! "He is slow to anger and abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8)!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Nancy, amen!
DeleteLove and blessings!
thecontemplativecat here. Such excellent explanation. " Being saved isn't a one-and-done process; we have to actively pursue the Lord and His will for us, allowing Him to scrub us clean when we commit the unintentional sin or succumb to worldly temptations." This is a perfect way to explain such a miracle.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Susan, for your kind words and your observation here. It's so true and so real in every facet of our lives.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a great object lesson Ms. Martha. I love how you can look at the everyday and find a spiritual lesson from it ma'am. As I was reading your delightful post, my mind replayed thoughts of how we are but clay; and like your deck, we require work on our part and God's to be returned to shining brilliance. Unlike your deck though, God remakes us to be more in His image with each recasting. Oh, the joy that comes from allow Him to do His transformational work in our lives. All we have to do is invite and allow Him. Thank you for brightening my day ma'am. Praying your deck remains as beautiful as your spirit ma'am.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know that this post spoke to your heart, J. D.! I'm so thankful that God has seen fit to give me eyes to see His work and His miracles in all parts of life, especially in the mundane. He is active every day, shaping us and forming us into His image. Yes, we are clay in the Potter's hands.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you Martha for always teaching us a lesson in your posts. God bless you and your family always.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful to the Lord for giving me such a gift, Victor, and I rejoice each time I can use it to inspire others.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How beautiful. I love the simile here... sins as scarlet. Who can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus... Who can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Have a blessed weekend dear Martha. Enjoy the desk anyway, stains and all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you could relate to this post, Debra. Yes, nothing but the blood of Jesus can cleanse!
DeleteWe are enjoying our decks, in spite of the occasional inconveniences. The weather has been surprisingly inviting for this late in May, and sitting outside is delicious.
Love and blessings!
That's what seems to happen when we start a project-other things need to be taken care of. We have been there a few times, actually more than a few. Peace and blessings.
ReplyDeleteIf it's not one thing it's another when it comes to home ownership, Cecelia, I agree. But it's worth every penny and moment of time when one can enjoy the improvements in the end.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen! Let us pray to become stainless and blameless in His sight.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a great spiritual lesson, Martha.
Hugs and blessings.
I'm so glad to know you enjoyed this post and the lesson, Veronica. God will make us stainless and blameless if we allow Him to work in us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, this is indeed a powerful analogy. Your deck color sounds lovely, but I see how the scrubbing is arduous. Praise the Lord He also scrubs us clean when we repent and stay intentional to do so. God bless!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Karen! No matter what extra effort it takes on our part, we are enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors and soaking up all the fabulous forest around us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Grinning...thank you Martha...for the many smiles and the thought/verse. Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
dear Martha, don't you just love it when God whispers spiritual invitations in our daily tasks? amazing how He uses what's right in front of us to teach us more of who He is.
ReplyDeletethanks for going there, friend. good stuff. meanwhile, i hope you're having a lovely weekend ... enjoy that deck!
Yes, Linda, I absolutely love when God uses the ordinary things in life to point us to Him. That, in and of itself, is a miracle.
DeleteHope your weekend is wonderful, too!
Love and blessings!
Amen! Jesus washes us white as snow.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly does, Beckie. Thanks be to God!
DeleteLove and blessings, and lots of prayers!
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ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're back, Lon.
DeleteLove and blessings!
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DeleteGreat analogy, Martha. God bless you!
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