SPIRITUAL TARNISH

I dare say you'll be glad when my garage sale is over so you don't have to hear any more about it. Know what? I'll be glad when it's over, too!

The other day I blogged about getting rid of trash in our spiritual lives just as I'm doing with the garage sale. I didn't mention anything specifically, as I recall, but I was thinking along the lines of unforgiveness, bitterness, holding grudges, judging others, gossiping, etc.

Then I found a couple silver trays my husband's first wife had. Although she had them wrapped securely in velvet, they had some tarnish on them. Not bad for as many years as it's been since they've seen the light of day. I removed some of the tarnish with my trusty Tarn-X -- but the pieces need a little more work. Then I read on the web that you should put a piece of aluminum foil in your dish pan or sink, place the piece of silver on the foil, and cover with baking soda and water. My problem, however, is that neither a dish pan nor my sink is big enough to hold the trays!

And then my thoughts focused on "Spiritual Tarnish." Now what's the difference, you're wondering, between spiritual tarnish and spiritual junk? This is just my own thoughts -- I'm no authority on the subject!

In my mind I'm thinking of spiritual tarnish as those so-called minor, or hidden parts of our lives -- our thought life, I guess you could say. We may not voice everything we're thinking, but if we're not careful, uncharitable thoughts or judgmental thoughts play around in our minds -- trapped and hidden just like my silver trays were covered with black velvet material. No one could see what was inside those covers until it was exposed to the light.

Maybe it's time we expose our hidden thoughts and desires to the Word of God if they're not holy, Christ-like, Godly thoughts, and let His grace wipe the tarnish from our hearts, making us shine once again like refined silver separated from the dross.

Preacher's Kid

P.S. Several of you have said you've tried unsuccessfully to make comments about my blogs now and then. I just found a place where I made some changes on my end of the line and did so. Don't know if that will help or not. If it works, I'd love to hear from you.