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A Clear View

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FullSizeRender The azalea bush outside my living room window is putting on a glorious show this spring. I can see it from my favorite living room chair where I sit for my quiet time every morning. But I can also see how dusty and rain-streaked my windows are after the long winter months. So last Saturday, when the temperature climbed to nearly 70 degrees, I got out the buckets and rags and window cleaner to tackle the job. The window glass is divided into dozens of tiny panes that have to be individually washed, making the task . . . well . . . a pain!

You know that great feeling you get when you tackle a hard job and can immediately see the results? That’s how I felt when I finally stood back to proudly view my finished windows. It seemed as though there was no glass in the window frames at all!

FullSizeRender(1)Then I got up on Sunday morning.

Those windows face east, and as the brilliant sunlight streamed into the room it revealed every streak and smudge and swirl mark I had made. The mess hadn’t been visible until the light shone directly on it.

It was an appropriate lesson for me. I can delude myself into thinking I’m a pretty good Christian on the outside, all cleaned up and looking good—until Christ shines His light and reveals my spots and streaks. That’s exactly what happened when I spoke without thinking last week and my words came out in a way that hurt a dear friend. Words are my livelihood and I had used them carelessly. “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). Just like a dirt-streaked window.window

I’m not as squeaky-clean as I think I am. Unless I allow the Light of the World to change me, I’ll remain as flawed as my windows, as filthy as my pile of cleaning rags. I’ve asked my friend for forgiveness. And I’m praying that from now on the Holy Spirit will help me to “be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19).

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Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time. Lynn was recently inducted into the Christy Award Hall for Fame for winning eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.

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Comments

  1. Oh, Lynn. I love this post and your photos. My kitchen gets the early evening sun, and at just the right moment, I can see how dirty the windows are, how dusty the counter and stove tops are, and how desperately my curio cabinet needs emptied and cleaned. The rest of the day it is easy to ignore. But at that exact moment in the day, it is obvious I have serious flaws as a housekeeper. What a wonderful way you applied that to our lives. Thanks.

  2. What a beautiful analogy, Lynn. I could really relate to both—the seemingly clean windows (until the light shone through) to the thoughtless words spoken—but I’d never tied the two together before. Now it’ll be an apt reminder. Thank you.

  3. This is beautiful, Lynn. I’ve always loved the book of James – he tells us how it is, doesn’t he? 🙂

    I wrote a post about your books several days ago, on my blog – to thank you for all your work. 🙂 http://naomiblog15.blogspot.be/2016/04/lynn-austin-and-her-novels.html
    (I was a bit hesitant at first to link it in a comment because I don’t want to ‘advertise’ my blog on other people’s blogs, but my dear mother told me I should, so… :-D)

    Have a good day! 🙂
    ~ Naomi

  4. Beautiful post, Lynn. Praying for that relationship in your life and that restoration will be full and complete. Each of us, without exception, have uttered words we wished we could take back, so we know and understand that unique regret.

    Thanking Jesus for the beauty of his creation and how it cries out with glory for him. And thanking him for you!

  6. Thanks for sharing and being honest about a problem most Christians struggle to overcome. I’m trying to “listen more and speak less too.”
    I’m thankful you became an author because I’ve enjoyed several of your books. You have a gift with words.

    • Thank you, Elyce. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my books. And I’m glad I’m not the only one who struggles with “spots and streaks.” Still, I need to do better.

  7. What a perfect analogy, Lynn. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your heart with us, today. I can certainly relate to the spiritual metaphor, but to the actual cleaning of the windows? Isn’t that what the rain is for? 🙂 I’m ashamed to admit that I can’t remember the last time I actually tackled that chore.

    • Yes, and it poured rain on Sunday afternoon, streaking my windows all over again. As for cleaning, I tell myself God has more important work for me to do. He does for you, too. Ignore your windows, Karen!

  8. “I can delude myself into thinking I’m a pretty good Christian on the outside, all cleaned up and looking good—until Christ shines His light and reveals my spots and streaks.” Ah, so true. So, so true. Thank you for this post, Lynn.

  9. As I read your post I was all, “Man, I can relate to that window thing. We’ve got windows everywhere in our house.” But then I got to your lesson and ouch. Sorry for your experience if a relationship was bruised, but thankful for your testimony. It is a valuable reminder to me who so often speaks before thinking. Bless you for sharing.

    • Thanks, Sandy. Fortunately, my friend was quick to forgive me. But you can bet I’ll be more careful with my words from now on.

  12. Lovely post with a beautiful analogy. The setting sun this time of year reveals the filth on our front windows, part of the fun of living on a heavily-trafficked road.

  15. I can certainly relate to your post, Lynn — in both ways! I have one picture window in particular that shows how dirty it is when the morning sun shines through it. But even if I wanted to clean it (which I don’t feel the urge very often), I can’t because it’s very high off the ground. So I have to wait until someone in my family visits who can do it for me, or hire someone to do it. Either way, it doesn’t get done nearly as often as it should. Also, I have said things that the Holy Spirit has shown me was NOT the right thing to say and I’ve had to ask His forgiveness and the person’s whom I offended. So thankful for a God who loves and forgives us, as well as family and friends.

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