Summer Cleaning

Psalm 51:1-13
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.

Against you alone have I sinned; I have done such evil in your sight That you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn.

True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.

Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.



I was reading this psalm this morning before beginning my day at work- and I was reminded how vividly God calls each of us to our relationship with one another and with God. Right relationship is a major theme in the Old Testament. The Israelites struggled with their relationship with God over and over. I have been struggling in the last couple of months in my relationship with God. I had moved away from thinking of my relationship with God as I would any other relationship. My relationships take time, investment, curiosity, generosity, kindness, and selflessness. God asks all of this and more every day. Some day’s I can be the person God is asking of me, some day’s I fall short. Most often, I find myself somewhere in between.

I spent the first part of my week with a man who is amazing to me. I am reminded over and over when I am in his presence what a treat it is to be in right relationship with others. I see God in his eyes, the compassion, tenderness and genuine concern that he shows to others is wonderful, but also a treat to receive. Through our conversations we discussed the very intimate nature of right relationships, and Psalm 51 was a refrain that was playing over and over in my mind. What a gift.

What are the gifts of right relationship that you find in your life today?
Is there a person who exhibits right relationship to you?

I am still here, and almost getting ready to begin my new posting....