There are few fragrances I like better than that of sheets that have been line dried in the fresh outdoor air! When I take the clothespins off and lay the sheets over my arms, I always, always put my face into the sheets and breathe deeply. Hope that doesn't gross you out or anything, but I just can't help myself. This may be information you'll want to store away if you ever have plans to stay overnight at our house. :-)
During the earliest spring to the latest fall, I try to provide fresh air, line-dried sheets to all our overnight guests.
During the earliest spring to the latest fall, I try to provide fresh air, line-dried sheets to all our overnight guests.
Just today, as I took these sheets from the line, it occurred to me WHY I love line-dried sheets. When I breathe in that fresh, fresh scent of the outdoors, it truly reminds me of how I feel when I have been harboring some sin in my life and have finally repented. It's forgiveness, - that thoroughly-cleansing forgiveness that floods my soul and makes everything right again between God and me. I mean, between the Almighty God of the Universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Master, Saviour, Loving Lord - and puny little rebellious, selfish, arrogant, created-being me.
Why I sometimes take so long to repent is beyond me. Well, part of it is that I am slowly getting over the idea that I have to be sorry enough before going to God. That comes from years of bad theology. Sorry enough?? Are you kidding? Like I'm trying to appease or impress some god?? Oh no. When I throw myself on His mercy and repent, He forgives me because of Jesus. Every time.
I've learned that faith is not quantifiable. In other words, it's not how much faith I have, but WHO my faith is in. It's not how sorry I am, but THE ONE who is able to forgive sin. It's not how much guilt I endure before repenting, and I used to think that somehow if I were feeling guilty enough, long enough, God would be obligated to forgive me.
All of this bargaining really means that I'm forgetting who God is and who I am. Like Moses at the burning bush, I need to remember that I am in the presence of a holy God. And I need to learn to take Him at His word.
I've learned that faith is not quantifiable. In other words, it's not how much faith I have, but WHO my faith is in. It's not how sorry I am, but THE ONE who is able to forgive sin. It's not how much guilt I endure before repenting, and I used to think that somehow if I were feeling guilty enough, long enough, God would be obligated to forgive me.
All of this bargaining really means that I'm forgetting who God is and who I am. Like Moses at the burning bush, I need to remember that I am in the presence of a holy God. And I need to learn to take Him at His word.
So I bask in His free forgiveness. And it is just like those fresh, clean sheets when my heart and mind have nothing keeping me from the love that is in Christ Jesus!!!!
It IS such amazing grace.
Thank you, Lord.
LOOOVE this post!!! It brings back memories of childhood...I'd run as fast as I could through all the sheets hanging side by side, arms outstretched! I love how you equate it with the freshness of forgiveness!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It brings back plenty of memories for me too. And it's so funny how no one else around here gets nearly as excited as I do about line-dried sheets. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love hanging clothes out to dry. I actually avoid doing the sheets because I've found that our seasonal allergies flare up a bit. I love how you tie it into faith. You are so right!
ReplyDeleteYeah, with allergies kicking in, you sure wouldn't want to breathe deeply of the fresh air outdoors here right now. Everything is pollinating!
ReplyDeleteLove ths post and the picture brings back sweet memories....so glad that I stopped by.
ReplyDeleteHave 2 great giveaways that I am drawing for on Sunday night
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/2010/04/oh-happy-day-and-giveway-no-two.html
What a lovely family you have! Thank you so much for commenting recently at my blog - it's always great to discover another kindred spirit. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you asked me about a Mike Horton book - Putting Amazing Back Into Grace. I haven't read that one, but I have several others. We heard him speak a year or so ago and he's coming again to our church in the fall. I love me some Mike Horton. :) Do you tune in to White Horse Inn? That's another favorite of ours.
About the sheets: how could you NOT bury your nose into clean sheets? :) My mom used to hang our sheets sometimes when I was a kid, and whenever I leave blankets or pillows on my porch, they always take me right back to my childhood when I bring them back inside. I'd love to have a clothesline - but we have no trees inside our fence! I haven't made purchasing a "system" a priority... but I really would love it. For now, the porch does the trick. :)
It's very nice to meet you... I look forward to reading more soon.
Very lovely post my friend, I too love that you brought in the fact of forgiveness from a loving God that requires obedience and gives forgiveness when we mess up. It really is 'amazing grace'. The photos are nice too. :)
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