“Hey Dena, it’s time to pull out summer clothes!” Jen enthusiastically cried. Dena jumped up, “Let’s do it then hit the beach!” Rushing to their closet, they pulled down the summer clothes bins.
As Jen sifted through her bin, she pulled out a pink dress. Hugging it close, she dreamily recalled, “I wore this on my first date with Bruce. I’m keeping it!” Dena looking vexed held up a pair of shorts, “Remember these? Look at that stain! I get angry all over again just thinking about that day.”
“These no longer fit,” said Jen trying on a pair of capris. “Which is probably a good thing,” laughed Dena as Jen tossed them into the “get rid of” pile. “Oh! I wore this blue shirt all the time!” cried Jen. Snatching it from her, Dena threw it aside, “It’s worn out! It’s time to get rid of it!” Smiling Dena asked, “You know what this means?” “Shopping!” they shouted in unison.
Going through last summer’s clothes evoked memories for the girls. Some clothing brought up pleasurable memories. Others which were worn, ill- fitting or associated with negative thoughts and feelings were tossed into the “get rid of” pile.
HOW ABOUT OUR CLOTHES?
Not the summer ones we are pulling out of the clothes bins, but the thoughts and feelings that clothe our hearts.
Maybe it’s time to sort through those and see if there is anything we want to “get rid of.”
“GET RID OF”
Sorting through the thoughts and feelings that clothe our hearts, may reveal things that don’t fit, are stained or even worn out. How do our clothes fit? Like Jen’s capris no longer fit, is there something that no longer fits the person we have become in Christ? Perhaps it’s an old habit, desire or a negative attitude that we could toss into the “get rid of” pile.
How about stains? Dena’s shorts were not the only thing stained; anger also stained her heart. The stain may not come out of her shorts, but by giving her anger to the Lord and forgiving, she can get rid of the stain in her heart. And we can have faith that our loving Lord will do the same for us, (1 John 1:9).
But now you must get rid of all these things:
anger, passion, and hateful feelings, insults or obscene talk.
Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits
and have put on the new self.
This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in His own image,
in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.
Colossians 3:8-10 GNT
As Jen searched her bin, she found a familiar blue shirt. Unfortunately, frequent wear had left the fabric stressed, weakened and worn out. Worries can be worn so often they feel like a familiar shirt. Just as the fabric on frequently worn clothes show signs of wear, our bodies show signs of wear from the stress of worries. Our Lord loves us so much that He doesn’t want us worn from worries. In faith we can “get rid of” our worries by giving them to the Lord who will take care of them.
Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank him for all he has done,
Philippians 4:6 NLT
PERHAPS IT’S TIME FOR SOME
NEW CLOTHES
For Dena and Jen getting new clothes was exciting. Isn’t there something about new clothes that makes us feel like a new self? We can do more than clothe the outside of our bodies with new clothes to feel like a new self. We can also clothe our hearts with new thoughts and feelings. We don’t even need a personal shopper to do it. We have a personal savior who has selected everything our hearts need to wear for our new self. He will even “get rid of” all the negative things which clothe our hearts.
WHAT HAS THE LORD CHOSEN TO CLOTHE OUR HEARTS?
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another
if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you,
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
When clothing our bodies there is always one focus item that is needed to tie the outfit together. Our loving Lord has chosen one for our hearts as well; love.
And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity,
Colossians 3:14 NIV
We don’t have to wait for a change in seasons to start sorting! We can “get rid of” what our hearts are clothed in anytime! The Lord is available 24/7, His connection never goes down and He delivers faster than amazon prime, free of charge.
SO, LET’S ALL DO SOME SORTING
AND THEN
HIT THE BEACH!
REFLECTION
What is your heart clothed in?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Colossians 3:12 and say it aloud, reveal to me what I need to “get rid of.” I give those things to You and ask for You to clothe me in the things You have chosen. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH, LET GOD CLOTHE YOUR HEART
May your day be filled with love and laughter,
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo dog, Flouffy
Photo beach, Ethan Robertson
