Due to remodeling our kitchen, I have had to embark on a deep cleaning cupboards. I found dishes, glasses and small appliances that I hadn’t seen in over a decade. There was a sticky layer of scum on many items. Clearly, once a decade is not enough deep cleaning.

There was something freeing in making trips to donate dishes, a bread maker, and so much more. Creating space in cupboards and closets felt like I was making space in my life. Throwing out broken mops and other unusable items was invigorating. I strive to be clean and organized, so how did this happen?

Cleaning cupboards reminded me how easy it is to get used to having things in our lives that we no longer need. We hold onto fears as they are familiar. We hold onto anger as it leaves us feeling righteous. We hold onto hurt as it feels justifiable. Let’s be honest, the work to let them go, clean them up, can feel more daunting than keeping them.

I didn’t want to put in the work. Maybe I avoided it because it is so much work. It required a step stool, lots of soapy water and some elbow grease. Several hours over several days were put into the project. The same is true when I have cleaned out fear, anger and hurt.

2 ^1-3 So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God. (1 Peter 2:1-3 MSG).

God invites us to clean house, to clean out fear, anger and hurt. It is how we grow in God’s love, God’s likeness. It is how we are transformed into the persons we always dreamed of becoming. Every time I have taken the journey of cleaning, God has met me and changed me beyond my expectations. It is not easy. It is not fast, but it is so worth it. This month is cupboards, next it’s the depths of the bedroom closet. (Yikes :0).

How are you at cleaning cupboards? Do you do it regularly or wait decades like me? How has the cleaning changed you? Are you ready for more? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.