Nicole W. CooleyAuthor of Into the Light: Rape, Abortion and the Truth that Set Me Free

Today (March 17, 2009) the film crew from CBN came to our home to interview me for an upcoming feature on the 700 Club. Since my grandmother's passing the end of February, I have struggled to maintain even the basics around our home. The house was nowhere ready for a TV crew!

I hired a friend (all my household help become dear friends) and we worked feverishly for two days for over four hours. Besides that, I worked in between, too! This morning while Abby slept and the boys were over at another friend's house (THANKS CHERYL!), I had more time to clean. I noticed the sink, then the counter by the stove, and the water cooler, too was dusty. I scrubbed the trash can lid and the floor near the trash cans. It seemed no matter where I looked, I saw yet another imperfection - more dirt. When I exhausted the cleaning wipes, I determined it was an impossible task. There would always be more dirt. So I resigned myself that this had to be good enough and hoped they wouldn't film the kitchen - and if they did, any neglected dirt wouldn't show.

I read a little scripture before my shower and continued to reflect on the dirt. I also prayed for the upcoming interview - that God would use me for His glory. Then it hit me that God didn't notice my dirt. Not because He couldn't see it - but because He chose to ignore it. The veil of Christ's shed blood for me gave Him "rose colored glasses" that masked my imperfections from His view. God saw my heart. My desire to please Him - to honor Him with my life touched His heart. God's love for me is overwhelming - God loves my heart because He knows it belongs to Him. God doesn't care about my dirt -literally! I am a terrible housekeeper! But, God has gifted me in other ways that I do use for Him. I felt challenged to see myself as God does - and not yield to the tendency to self-condemnation for the dirt in my life I have yet to find victory over.

I reflected on David of the Bible - who was known for having a heart after God's own heart. David had some significant failures, but his heart ultimately belonged to God. It was this endearing quality that God adored. I recalled how God's eyes search the earth looking for those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9). In another passage God promises to remove our sins from His view - as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

God has never desired perfection as much as submission - obedience to His purpose. I must simply work in His purpose for my life. The dirt is irrelevant. But, somehow I have a feeling that eventually God will give me victory in all areas of my life - and help me clean the dirty spots once and for all.