My Faith-Clothes

A few days ago, I commented about taking some time out to relax on the couch. A fellow mom asked "What's that?" to which I laughingly replied: "You know! It's that thing in the living room where I pile my laundry. The clothes get to rest on the cushions for a week before they're folded and put away." 

It seems that no matter how much I try, there is a pile of laundry somewhere in my house. I noticed the other day that while we have lots of laundry, we all seem to wear pretty much the same outfits all the time! 

Pretty soon here, I'm going to be going through the piles and sharing the items that we simply aren't using. 

But it got me to thinking - if I looked at my faith life through the 'laundry lens', what does it look like? Which faith-clothes do I wear consistently? Which ones sit in a pile in the corner? Are there faith-clothes that never seem to get pulled out of the closet? 

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:
 compassion,
               kindness,
                           humility,
                                      quiet strength,
                                                          discipline.
Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive and offense. 
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:12-14

When we read about reorganizing our closet and only keeping the 'essentials', we think basics. I believe the same goes with our faith life as well. 

There are many, many styles, fabrics, fits and fads in the faith industry. So many books, teachings, approaches that can take the place of all the basics. 

This year, I challenge you to take stock of your faith-closet and focus on the basics, as listed above. In addition, how about putting down the latest book and reading The Book instead? 

How about setting time aside each week to spend time with Jesus, listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit? 

Now  time to get back to the basics and focus on practising the basics of faith. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some laundry to fold!