All Clean and Ready to Go!

My brother's dog, Wyatt Earp, has a job he takes very seriously, rinsing the dishes before the dishwasher is turned on. He has been doing this since he was a little puppy as seen below. A call of his name is all it takes for Wyatt to come in the kitchen and begin his scullery duty. Wyatt is a dog who clearly understands the benefits of thorough cleaning.

When I find myself peering through smeary peek holes from my car windows, I know that they too need a good cleaning. The other day I brought my car to the car wash and the sign at the entrance resonated with me in a whole new way. It detailed four things I had to actively do in order for my car to come out the other side clean and unscathed.

The first thing I had to do was put my car in neutral, of course putting my car in drive while on a track that moves at a pace that was programmed to give my car the maxium amount of time needed for a thorough cleaning, would be silly.  Additionally, putting my car in reverse and not even letting the cleansing water and detergent scrub away my car's grime would also be counterproductive. Nope, neutral it is, relax and let go.

The second thing I was reminded to do was to put my antennae down. Now, I don't have one of those, the good folks of Toyota decided to meld mine into my windows. However, my automatic windshield- wipers do have to be deactivated because they would be frantically trying to wash away the water, soap and brushes that touched my front windows if I didn't remember this step.  Windshield wipers deactivated, check.

Foot off the brake, was the next step. This one is always a bit hard for me.  Even though I know that the track that pulls my car along doesn't need the added resistance of me putting on my brakes, the first split second the track jerks me forward my inclination is to engage them.  I don't think I have yet, but it takes a conscious effort not to, as it just seems wrong to have something else in control of where and when I should move forward.

Once I've let myself be at the complete mercy of the track pulling my car forward into the wash, having my hands off the steering wheel is not a big deal. However, trusting that my car is really on the track at the beginning is a bit daunting. I have to willfully trust the reassuring attendant in front of me that my car's tires are indeed on the track, because it typically doesn't feel like they are placed where I think they should. It also feels like the track is going to pull the rubber right off my tires.

Once inside, the washing begins! I thrill to the excitement and tempest of the pouring water,  twirling brushes, and the soapy sounds of progress.

Wash, rinse, dry and and then a quick reflection of the car's new and improved looks. What could be easier?

Now of course this process has eternal significance as well. As we start a new year so many of us are refreshed by the prospect of a new beginning, a new start. All the struggles from the previous year are behind us and a new year beckons with new promise.  Its funny how just one day on the calendar can give us such wonderful feelings of hope and inspiration, yet each day we are offered that very same promise.  If we put our lives in neutral and in the hands of our creator, we are on the track that leads to blessings, purity, and all the good stuff that results from a life in alignment with God's plan.  It doesn't mean its all sunshine and good times, because removing dirt is usually a painful process, but God promises the end result is worth the effort of  "Letting go and letting God". 

I pray I can put myself in full neutral gear throughout the year, filling it solely with God's desires for my life.  I'm trying to keep my antennae down, and my windshield wipers deactivated as I simply trust that God sees the soil in my heart and knows where to clean and where and when to plant seeds.   If I look back, then focus and dwell on all the mistakes I made this last year, its like putting my car in reverse gear inside the car wash. God washed all my grimy sin away from me once I did the repenting work, reverse gear should never be an option (note to self: Remember this).

Even though its scary, I have to keep my foot off the brakes.  When I'm going into unchartered Lisa territory, my inclination is to not just put on the brakes, but pump them too! Right now I feel that a new teaching opportunity is opening up to me and I'm excited yet afraid of this new challenge. My need for safety tells me to remain stagnate, yet I know that God has bigger plans for me. Move me forward God, I want to see my new path. Steer me where you would have me go, Lord.  Prepare me by a good wash, rinse and dry me, then send me along to do your work. Help me to reflect your face in this new year.

Ezekiel 36:25-28
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people and I will be your God.