Saturday, December 17, 2011

Where have all the washcloths gone?

I hate it when things go missing in my house. Though it may be small, I run my household with all faithfulness and diligence. It’s important to me that I do a good job with what I’ve been given. Because of this it’s easy for me to discern when something is amiss under my rooftop.

I have a set of washcloths that I keep in the girls’/guest bathroom. They get used by us during the girls’ bath time and for whatever miscellaneous purpose may arise, but in my mind, I ultimately keep them there for when guests visit. There are nine wash cloths and I have them all pretty and folded in a little linen holder. Five on the bottom, four on the top.

Recently, my oldest daughter has begun using them in excess; for her puppies, to play dishes in the sink or for whatever little need arises in her own heart. She’s three and a half. (I love that she feels totally at home, to do as she pleases. This tells me she is confident in our love and feels secure.) But because of this, I’m beginning to feel like I’ve lost track of the washcloths and where they have all disappeared to in the house. Yesterday, I noticed that a few of them were missing. I have four in the holder, all folded and ready to be used, two hanging on the hook that need to be washed and three unaccounted for. I’m an organized person so this bothers me on some level. As I was counting them and taking an inventory in my mind of where they all were, here’s what struck me.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not then; you (insert your name here_______) are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 Amplified

Is that what you were talking about Lord? In the same way that I’m intimately acquainted with what goes on under my roof, You are intimately acquainted with the details of my life. You know when things are amiss, whether an outside enemy is attacking or something isn’t right in my own heart. You are taking stock of what is going on with me. You are well versed on the pages of my life. They are in Your book.

There’s a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Today, this scripture went from a memory verse in my mind down into the mind of my heart through what I call experiential knowledge. I experienced the Living Word come to me and instruct my heart. It comforts me to know that I don’t just claim with my mouth to know God or to confess His Son, but I actually walk with Him and He is faithful to come and show me His ways, teach me His paths. He shows up. His name is Faithful and True. (Revelation 19:11) It also helps me to know that I'm not an OCD perfectionist about the little things as the devil would like me to believe, but that I have aspects of my Father's character in regards to organization and an eye for the little details. The truth is I am made in His image and likeness. And it feels good to know the truth so I can walk in it. :O)