One of the blessings of winter is
that you have time to clear out your closet. When it gets to the point of
needing a crowbar to put your clean shirts away, it’s time for some serious
work.
The problem, of course, is that
clothing in the closet is not merely tailored cloth. Many of the items
come with some personal, emotional attachment. See if you recognize
these:
· There
are the pants whose waistline shrunk in the wash. It’s outrageous in this
day and age that such items are permitted in the stores, but there it is:
too small a waste (well, waist).
· Then,
of course, there is the neon orange sweater. The one Aunt Luvinia gave
you. Your rich Aunt Luvinia, who loves to see you in that sweater, since
it’s such a perfect color on you.
· Finally,
taking up much too much space is the gold thread embroidered souvenir of your
trip to Mexico, the four foot diameter sombrero.
This is where your attitude
matters. Someday you’ll diet, someday Aunt Luvinia will die, someday
you’ll wear that sombrero for Halloween. Sure. Let’s adjust our
attitude a little here.
· You
can complain about the pants or you can use them to bless someone else.
Even in the richest nation in the world, the poor are always with us. A
good pair of pants might be the difference between getting the job and
unemployment.
· That
orange sweater? If you live in tropical Minnesota, that sweater might
keep some poor fellow warm.
· Sometimes
you have to admit your fashion mistakes. Throw the sombrero out.
The art of examining yourself at
Communion bears some resemblance to the cleaning of the closet:
· Waist
line? Don’t blame the Manufacturer. He is not the creator of your
sins. Be honest with yourself—and with God. The repentant and
contrite heart—one size fits all.
· The
sweater? Do you continue in your sins because you are afraid of offending
someone? Want to be one of the boys? Decide: are you going to
please God, or are you going to please those whose approval you so much desire?
· The
sombrero? Is there something you retain in your life because you’re too
proud to admit it was a mistake in the first place? Perhaps a family
feud; worse, a thorn in the side of your spouse? Pull the thorn; admit
the mistake and ask forgiveness.
God knows what’s in your
closet—and in your heart. Cleaning the closet is good; cleaning the heart
is required.