Preparing my house. . .

Last week I was an industrious woman- preparing my house for a hospitality opportunity.

So, I swept and mopped, cleaned the bathrooms, decluttered, arranged the furniture, counted the chairs and places to sit around the tables. . .

I prepared my part of the meal, and dessert, set up the table for coffee, another for drinks, ice. . .prepared the plates, cups, utensils. . .you know how all that goes.

Next I set out the crayons and paper, books, blocks, an assortment of toy cars-to prepare for the children who would come to my house. . .

And we had a wonderful gathering-adults, teens, children, toddlers. A cool breeze for the house, just enough food, bocce ball after the meal, singing, worthy conversations, a missionary couple sharing the Lord's work. . .delightful fellowship, folks stayed late-it was lovely!

The next morning I was reading Psalm 19, praying, and I was convicted. . . I had been diligent to prepare what others see, my house. . . but careless to prepare what only God sees, my heart. How quickly I succumbed to the temptation to thoughts, to attitudes which elevate self and dishonor the Lord. . .but today's a new day, with a fresh opportunity to guard my heart, to honor the Lord, " Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!. . .Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:13-14)