Shiny Sins

Christian non-fiction, devotional, prayer, Sunrises – Pictures

Shiny Sins

Published by

Heidi Viars

January 3, 2014

I don’t mind cleaning, most days that is. The smell of a freshly cleaned floor and the sight of a shiny kitchen counter even brings me joy. That’s why decided, several years ago, to make cleaning my profession. It pays well and fits in with my schedule. The flexible hours are great and allow me to be home with the kids after school. I have to look hard to find things that I don’t like about this job, except one very little, tiny thing …

Just this last week, I cleaned up after a Christmas party and here it was … GLITTER … everywhere. Tiny, teeny, bitty bits of sparkle covered the floor and tables. It took sweeping, wiping, vacuuming, and mopping the place several times only to find glitter still all over. Each time I looked from a different direction, glimmers of the tiny evil became evident again … and again … and again.

While in the midst of my shiny dilemma, I was reminded of my sin. Not unlike the glittery mess, I often try to clean up my sins and “wipe” them away. On my own, I struggle to “behave” my way into a sinless place. I even make resolutions to stop certain behaviors or sinful habits. At times it even seems as if the harder I try, the more I notice my mess.

God is good. He does not abandon us to our inability to remove our own messes. He knows that we are helpless when it comes to making ourselves clean before Him. He knows we need more than good intentions and good will. In His amazing grace and kindness to us, He gave us His solution, namely Jesus Christ. Through Christ we are clean before God.

Through our faith in Him,
knowing we can’t be clean before a Holy God,
Christ takes it all on Him.
Every sin, no matter how big or how small,
God forgives us through Jesus, Our Savior.

“Thank you, God, for making me clean before You.
You see into my sin-sick heart, even those seemingly tiny sins.
Thank you for Jesus Christ.
His blood covers all, no matter how big or small my offenses.
Teach me to live in that freedom today.
Teach me to know what it means
To walk securely and clean before You.”

(Pictures and Devotion by Heidi Viars, 2013)

35 responses to “Shiny Sins”

heidieoliver

January 13, 2014

Hi Heidi, thank you for your insight. It is always good to be reminded to dwell on this one most important truth that Jesus covers ALL our sin.

P.s…My housemate cleans our Church for a living and she’s still finding little pieces of tinsel and glitter weeks after Christmas! God bless 🙂

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godspoetbychoice

January 13, 2014

You and I have so much in common I have been cleaning houses for the last seven years and recently had to give it up because of failing health. I used to love looking back over my shoulder to take one last look at the polished floors and gleaming glass that were devoid of finger prints and dust. I would feel such satisfaction at a job well down. Maybe it was that same satisfaction that spurred me for many years to try and clean up my own messes. It has only been in the last year that I have really learned to lay that desire down. I surrendered only when I was physically and emotionally spent. If I had not been such a slow learner maybe I would not have had to deal with so much pain. With this new job in a call centre there is no sense of satisfaction or immediate gratification. Just grueling shifts, endless rules, lofty qouta’s and low morale that permeates the call floor. So different from the lemon scented life I used to lead but I am sure there is a reason the Lord has put me here. I have to daily learn to surrender the worry that I won’t make my quota and just accept what the Lord gives day by day while keeping my eyes open to be his light. This last year has been all about learning to lean on the Lord each day sometimes minute by minute. Do keep writing I so enjoy your writing and your friendship

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Patty Perkins

January 8, 2014

Loved the line about not abandoning “us to our inability to clean up our own messes”…I certainly need Him!

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Tom Raines

January 7, 2014

Wonderful, thank you! Clean.

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Steve Austin

January 6, 2014

Well this is just flat-out GOOD! I absolutely love it. I have been rolling around this concept of “insignificant sins” as well. They can create quite a mess!

Love this–thanks!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Thanks for your visit, Steve … Indeed, it can get messy 🙂
  
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Debbie

January 5, 2014

I was feeling for you, trying to clean up the glitter that just refuses to go away! It will not be out shined by Lysol! And thank you for helping me see that I can never cleanup my sins or my heart myself. We have fresh snow here today and combined with your post, I am thinking of the song that sings, “Oh the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.” God bless you!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  YES! We often try to clean up the mess with our own solution … what a mess we create …
  (There have been times I have tried to mop up this stuff … not a good idea) …
  I am humming the song now 🙂
  
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Susan Irene Fox

January 5, 2014

Heidi, just came across your blog today, and so blessed I did. Your poetry is beautiful, and today’s reading is quite apropos for the new year. Warm blessings to you for this new year. You have a new follower.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  What a blessing to meet you, dear sister in the Lord. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment. You have a wonderful blog and I can’t wait to read what God puts on your heart. Blessings to you!
  
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greenlightlady

January 4, 2014

Heidi, I always enjoy your pictures, prose, and poetry I can relate to the glitter dilemma (& the stickiness of sin). My daughter was given a box full of craft supplies by a generous friend of mine, several years ago, and I still find glitter in the strangest places; I’ve even found it on my face. 🙂

Blessings ~ Wendy

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  This place I go to clean often gets rented for parties and gatherings. It is amazing to me how long the glitter stays around and how it travels 🙂 Yes, I even found it on my face, too… I suppose that would make another great devotional! Blessings to you, dear Wendy!
  
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Rene Yoshi

January 4, 2014

As I read your blog, it struck me that because Jesus is our final solution, we do not need a re-solution like we do when we fail to accomplish our New Year’s resolutions. His solution never fails! \(^_^)/

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Yes, His solution never fails, Rene. He made us acceptable before God once and for all, when we put our faith in Jesus.
  Your comment reminded me of Jesus washing Peter’s feet and the conversation they had … but especially what Jesus said to Peter after Peter wanted Jesus to wash his hands and head …
  “Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean … ” (John 13:1-17)
  Let’s let the Holy Spirit continue to point out where we need washing, but and having confidence that we are already clean before God!
  Thanks so much for your edifying and encouraging comments, Rene!
  
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  1. Rene Yoshi
    
    January 6, 2014
    
    Amen! I have a friend who loves to say, “Rest in grace,” and while I agree that we should not wallow in condemnation when we fall, I never want to take His grace for granted either. God’s grace should lead us to live out the righteousness He gives us through Jesus, but cheap grace tries to excuse a life of disobedience. Yes! Let’s let the Holy Spirit continue pointing out where we need washing, but have the confidence that we are already clean before God! \(^_^)/
    
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Ben Nelson

January 4, 2014

Great analogy Heidi So glad for His wonderful cleaning solution!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Me too, Ben!
  
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Shelly

January 4, 2014

Our ‘small sins’ are like paper cuts. They hurt much more than they look like they will. They hurt our relationship with the Lord because we often don’t even recognize them, acknowledge them or seek forgiveness for them. Thanks for the reminder that all sin is sin and we need to be aware of our sins so we can seek His forgiveness.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  I like that analogy of a paper cut, Shelly! May we always be ready to let God point out our sins … and then let Christ wash them with His blood! Thanks so much for your visit and comment, Shelly!
  
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Caddo

January 3, 2014

Well, bless your heart for liking to clean, Heidi–it doesn’t give me quite the same thrill, though I do feel a sense of satisfaction when I can finally see the TV screen again… And YES, to God realizing long before we do that we can never get our sins cleaned up, no matter how much elbow grease we use! But I must add that I saw the glitter issue differently–you may know that Caddo is BIG on all that Sparkles and Shimmer-Shines, so I would view the lingering bits of glitter as God’s light refusing to be put out, no matter our unbelief and faithlessness. There–toss some glitter my way! God bless you BIG–love, sis Caddo

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I am so grateful to the Lord for giving us the solution and taking care of all our sins in Jesus. We could have never done that on our own.
  I love how God glorifies Himself in our different characters. He made His children so different. Each one reflecting Him in His vastness and manifold character.
  Tossing glittery grace your way 🙂 … with much love, dearest Caddo!
  
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cshowers

January 3, 2014

Amen, and those little sins seem so harmless to us, but they cling to us, refusing to release us, damaging our hearts and our souls… No amount of cleaning on our part will get rid of the filth of it… BUT if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness… Hallelujah! Thanks for the wonderful reminder Heidi!

Love,
Cheryl

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Your comment reminded me of Isaiah 64:6
  
  “For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
  And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
  And all of us wither like a leaf,
  And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”
  
  BUT … in Christ we are washed white as snow … Yes, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us!!! Praise God!
  thanks so much for your beautifully edifying post, dearest Cheryl.
  
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Stephen Nielsen

January 3, 2014

I think it’s great that you like your cleaning job. I like cleaning too, and painting. I like to see the results. I think there are a lot of thing I could illustrate from painting too. I’ll have to do that.

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Isn’t it great how God gives us these lessons and revelations about HImself all around us?! You should write about what He is saying to you in your job! 🙂 Thanks for viisiting, Stephen!
  
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  1. Stephen Nielsen
    
    January 6, 2014
    
    I will definitely start listening to what God is saying to me through my work. I know there has to be some lessons to learn. Today I’m staying home–It’s too cold: -21 degrees.
    
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    1. Heidi Viars
      
      January 6, 2014
      
      Yes, it’s that cold here too …School is out today and maybe even tomorrow … which is a blessing after spending the weekend in Green Bay at the EFCA’s District Youth Conference. I think there were even kids from MN who were attending … It does feel like such a blessing this morning… stay warm, Stephen!
      
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poetrycottage

January 3, 2014

It’s the smallest glitter that if left to shine, damages the most. Blessings Heidi xxx

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  I know what you are saying… unfortunately 😦 Have a beautifully blessed day, dearest Liana!
  
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LubbyGirl

January 3, 2014

This one was especially applicable. I’ve been thinking lately about those ‘tiny sins’ and how much I need the Lord’s cleansing. I don’t do so well on my own! Thanks for posting this!!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  I am so grateful we don’t have to “clean up” on our own. Psalm 139 comes to mind…”Search me, God, and know my heart” … may we be always willing to let God show us when we mess up, in the big and small things. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
  
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Skye

January 3, 2014

Ahhh…so good to be back to be able to read your words once again. A perfect post to start the new year. Big hugs, Dear Friend!!! Much love, too!!

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1. Heidi Viars
  
  January 6, 2014
  
  Thanks so much for your visit and kind words, dear Skye! Big hugs to you as well … will be heading over to your place soon 🙂
  
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  1. Skye
    
    January 6, 2014
    
    I will leave the front door open and put on some tea!! 🙂
    
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    1. Heidi Viars
      
      January 6, 2014
      
      🙂
      
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