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Window Washer
By: Donna Haug
June 23, 2003

Through the large bay windows of my heart, I could feel the warm rays of God’s love shining through. It felt so cozy and nice. The light reached to the farthest corners of my heart showing me what still needed cleaning and I sang as I dusted and swept.

But as the days passed I noticed I was no longer singing as I worked. Actually, I did not really feel like cleaning anymore. Over time so many people had put greasy hands all over my windows as they pushed me around or poked fingers at me. Circumstances of my life had covered them with dust. My tears of self pity and sorrow had caused streaks and smudges. I felt awful for I could no longer enjoy the warmth of my God’s love. His light was blocked from reaching the depths of my soul because of all the filth. Depression overwhelmed me as I stared at the dim and dreary place my life had become.

Finally, one day I realized that something needed to change! I was not able to clean the windows of my heart alone. I called out, “Lord, help me! I’m sorry for letting all this grime build up. Can you please come and clean me up? I need you!” At that moment, Jesus came with the necessary tools in hand. In one hand he held a spray bottle containing a mixture of water and vinegar. In his other hand he had an old newspaper. I was not too pleased with his choices! I mean – vinegar and newspaper?? As he worked Jesus explained. The water was for cleaning away the dirt and grime, but alone the water would not cut through the grease. The vinegar added to the water did not smell so pleasant but it worked wonders. He explained that the vinegar represented the Holy Spirit and his convicting power. So often I thought only of what other people had done to me to get me so dirty. I needed the Holy Spirit to show me my own faults and failures of which I needed to repent. It was not so pleasant to realize I was part of the problem, but Jesus took care of it. As he scrubbed with the newspaper, I noticed his hands were getting awfully dirty even as my windows got squeaky clean. It was then that I realized how much it cost my Savior to forgive my sins and to clean up my heart. I gazed into his eyes and was amazed at the love I saw there!

Soon the bright warm rays of God’s love and power were once again flooding my heart. As the dark and dreary spaces became bright and cozy once again, my heart was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness and a song welled up within me. “Thank you, Jesus, for being willing to get your hands dirty to get me clean!”

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