The Cleansing of the Mud Room

January 10, 2022

Scripture

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5,14  NIVUK)

The Cleansing of the Mud Room

Armed with a Swiffer and cloths I started dusting down the ceiling and walls of our mud room the other day. There was residual dust from some renovation work and traffic through the mud room by the renovators. It’s a cloakroom, boot room, pantry and first place to drop things when we come in from the garage.

Moving and dusting the contents of the shelves led to much culling of accumulated stuff that had found a home as we came and went from the house. It’s funny what a religious experience I had filling a garbage bag and admiring the neat and clean shelves.

Dust of another sort has accumulated over many of us in our fatigue and uncertainty about so many things as we enter 2022 – but we can keep our shelves clean of accumulated anger, fear and resentment.

Sometimes we have to move stuff around and give it a bit of a dusting, so we don’t settle into patterns that are more darkness than light. The loving God comes to us as The Word who gives life and light to all of us. We can have confidence that his light overcomes the darkness eventually – however dark it may seem for now.

A Prayer for Today

God of light and kindness, there is a lot going on in the world that feels out of control and very discouraging. Give me courage to face the challenges I have with perseverance and grace. Grant me patience for those with whom I disagree and generosity to those who need my help. …. for Jesus’ sake.