Skimming Leaves in Our Windy Lives

 

There is something mysterious and haunting about a pool when it is lit at night. On this cold, cold morning the blue glowed like a jewel against the darkness. As I passed, I could not help but notice that, try as one may, the waters do not stay clean. During these days of cold fronts and northern winds, no matter how much time is spent scooping leaves off the surface, there are always more to come. With nature’s every breath it seems that all the work is undone. Every day calls for a touch up so the beauty of the waters can shine.

It seems that the same can be said about our lives. Even when we are at our most conscientious about who we are and how we live, the winds keep blowing and the leaves still make their way to us. The leaves keep us from shining as well. Our leaves come in many shapes and sizes. Some are new to us and some just keep blowing in across the years of our past. We may have those moments where we feel we have cleaned up once and for all. We may have those moments when we are weary from the constant striving to remove all the leaves. We may have those moments when we throw down the leaf skimmer and walk away, giving up on things really changing for us and in us.

One of the gifts of the Good News is the truth that we are not left to our own devices in the cleaning of our lives. We read in 1 John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God knows the futility of skimming leaves in our windy lives. So our task is to be honest about ourselves. Our task is to be committed to growth. But God is the one who cleans us up. Constantly, patiently, lovingly, God works in our lives so that we can shine. God clears away the debris that keeps us from being fully who we are created to be. God never gives up on us.

Peace