Spot Remover

Our carpet has seen a lot of feet during our family's 3 years and in the years 3 or so other families lived here. It shows. No matter how much I vacuum or push the carpet in different directions, I can't hide the fact that it looks worn and stained. Someday we will replace it, but for now I have to learn to appreciate it. :) God has shown me how ...

There are times when stains appear, as if out of nowhere. They stare at me like gray patches on the dingy cream background shouting things like, "Dog paws, soccer cleats, running shoes, gardening toes, late night snacks, sleepovers, sweet company." Whatever the explanation (ok, I contributed when I was rushing down the stairs with a full cup of coffee and I sloshed!), there are spots.

I've tried to get the spots out on my own, despite the fact that my mom had a "spot cleaning incident," and all she got for it was surgery on the finger that had scrubbed too hard. I've tried dish soap, soft scrub (don't do it = you'll get bleach spots!), 409, dirty looks, and other remedies. I have even had the carpet professionally cleaned, and that helps temporarily, but a worn floor can not be changed by temporary tactics. The dirt always comes through. But you don't have to send me your Grandma's miracle solutions; I found one!

The carpet man, who also goes to our church, left me with a gift: a bottle of spot remover (does he do that for everyone, or was this like sympathy dating?). I scoffed at it! I sneered at its claims. I ignored it and stuck it in the cleaning caddy in the dark laundry room corner, certain it could not possibly do what it claimed. Until ....

... in desperation I turned to the bottle one day (of spot remover, not THAT kind of bottle :) ) . I dripped a little bit of the solution onto the dark spots staining my floor. I scrubbed gently and sat back on my heels in amazement. It was a miracle. It was clean. The spot was gone. Out of all the things I tried, ONE claimed to be the real deal, and it washed away the stain. It's still old carpet, but the spots are gone. God used that carpet to remind me of another Cleanser that is the only answer for dirty traces on the worn surface of "me" :

• What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
• What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
• Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow.
• No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Got a spot? I know a great Spot Remover. :)

1 John 1:7-9

⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Lord,

draw my attention to the dirty spots in my life and show me where I need cleansing. Help me not to get used to the stains, but help me to long to be clean. Take away my dependence on my own efforts to improve myself or do good works. Instead, please remind me throughout the day that it's only Your kind grace that can cleanse me and help me to live in newness of life.