Ironic, I know.
It was a long day of T and I getting bills paid and truck repairs and oil changes and snow removed before another weekend of ministry.
He left a day earlier than planned because of weather.
Children were crying of tiredness as they finally exhaled in their own home.
I had no supper planned since I had given extra time to attend to my husband’s needs.
The hour was coming when we needed to leave to get to church.
I had had oil running down my arm this afternoon, my hair was under a stocking cap, oil had splattered in my eye while I was under the truck – which was dripping water and mud all over me.
I felt dirty.
I was not cleaned up yet.
This was not the way I wanted to ‘Enter the Throne Room’ tonight, at the beginning of Lent.
As our loaded truck headed toward town to Worship, and I was wallowing in my imperfections…
God reminded me that THAT was exactly how He was waiting for me to approach Him.
And THAT is WHY I needed to approach Him:
Because I cannot ‘clean’ myself.
And suddenly, I knew that this night needed to be about coming tired and dirty to Him.
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened; I will give you rest. When you confess your dirt to me, I keep my promises; I will forgive your sins and make you clean – again. It’s not a one-time offer, Lynn. I’ll do it for as long as you need me to. Come in your flannel, with stains; wear your boots. I don’t care if you didn’t get your face washed or the oil and grease seeped into the pores and cracks of your skin. I don’t care if you smell like fuel or your hair is matted down from the weight of your hat that kept your head warm.
I’m still here; still ready for a smile and hug.
Just come.”
And we did.
We just did ‘come’.
