I am Clean.

We all know the feeling of getting into a bed with freshly cleaned sheets. So welcoming.  So inviting.

Or, maybe you only wash your sheets once a year, and a bed covered in clean sheets doesn’t mean much to you. Even though we are very different people, I am sure I can see past your cleaning habits (or lack thereof). No judgment here.

Ever since we refurnished our bedroom, I find myself constantly wanting to be there. I used to be content hanging out in the living room or on our back porch, but not anymore. It’s probably the newness of the items that adds to the excitement; but, nevertheless, it is my happy place – my place of comfort and rest. 

Before we got new furniture from West Elm and Joss & Main (which, by the way, I immediately fell in love with… probably because the price and quality was on point), we were using Adam’s bedroom furniture that was literally like 20-years-old. No joke. And this lovely bedroom set went from being in his room growing up, to his apartments in college and law school, to our townhome, and to our current home. So, when Restore for Habitat for Humanity came and took it away, I did not shed a single tear. Trust me, I was grateful for the fact that we didn’t have to invest in furniture right after we got married.  Instead, we were able to save for what we wanted. But, adding a little of my design to the room, and incorporating my favorite shades of gray and white, has been a blast – and a long time coming. 

These days you can find me here. In the comfort of clean sheets and new bedding. One happy girl I am.

The best part is that this clean feeling doesn’t come solely from taking those sheets out of the wash each week.  Rather, this clean feeling is something our Savior, Jesus Christ, offers every day.  In fact, each morning, He gives us the ability to hit the ground running with a fresh, clean start.   No matter what the day before brought or what the day ahead will bring, He provides hope, love, and forgiveness.

Image from Thorn + Sparrow

Because Christ died for us, we can have that clean feeling each and every day we spend here on Earth.  He loves you. His love is so great for you that He forgives you for your sins even when you don’t deserve it (like when you don’t wash your sheets for a year!). I wish I could explain the amount of love He has for His children. But no description will ever do Him justice. I am amazed by how He shows His love for us through the people around us and the miracles we witness each day.

There is a song that no matter where I am or when I hear it, it sends a wave of peace through my soul. No exaggeration.  Yesterday, as I was taking an afternoon run (oh please, it was a walk for the most part) down the beach, the song, Clean, by Natalie Grant popped up on my playlist. I have probably listened to this song a hundred times. Maybe it was the fact that the ocean was washing up on my feet, but the song moved me to open my arms and sing along (quietly, of course, since my voice would certainly butcher this beautiful song). But it was a moment with God that brought me a great sense of His love. It’s these words in the song that get me every single time:

“Washed in the blood of your sacrifice. Your blood flowed red and made me white. My dirty rags are purified. I am clean.”

I don’t know how you plan to celebrate Easter. Maybe it’s with friends.  Maybe it’s with family. Maybe it’s at church.  Or, maybe it’s from the comfort of your home. I don’t know where your heart is or what it is feeling, but I do know that God loves each of you, and God showed His love by giving us His only son. My prayer for you is that you feel that love tomorrow and for all the days ahead. Remember, you are clean. 

- Taylor Ann