The White Robe Treatment
(originally ranted in 2001)

It's Good Friday. That's a bit of an oxymoron, considering why we reverence this day in the first place. Bet it wasn't such a Good Friday for Him.

My Grandfather is coming into town tomorrow. He'll be here for only four hours, and I've spent all day preparing for his arrival.

My house is spotless. My yard is free of all unsightly leaves, twigs and other debris blown in by the West Texas wind. My car is immaculate, even down to the perfectly Armor All'ed tires and shiny rims. At least for tomorrow, I'll have it together. Everything is perfect. And even though I will tell him thank you with words for all he has done for me, I show him visibly how much I appreciate all the things he has helped me to have. He can actually see my complete appreciation.

But what can I do for God? How am I supposed to tell Him thank you? How can show Him how much I appreciate all He has given me, specifically my salvation? Sure, I can pray and thank Him with words, but how can I prove it?

I choose to do the very same thing that I do for my Grandfather- clean it up.

My whole family is obsessive-compulsive. We're a bunch of wackos. Everything must be organized, cared for, tidy and clean. We're all that way, including my soon-to-be-two-year-old son. It's in our genes. But there's a whole other level of clean we have to achieve for God. We have to be clean in mind, body, and spirit. That should be reflected in our outer surroundings.

If I have to give Jesus a ride to the airport tomorrow, what music will be playing when I turn my car on? If Jesus wants to kick back with me and watch a movie, will I let Him look through all my videos? If we reminisce while flipping through my photo album, will I be embarrassed over the photos it contains? If He's looking through my drawers for a socket wrench, will He find something else I'll wish He didn't see? If He's wondering what I've been reading lately, how readily will He find His book?

In my house, I'm ready. If He shows up tomorrow with a couple of cherubim and seraphim, I can let them right on in. Forget the white glove treatment. My house can pass the white robe treatment.

Yes, I cried when I threw away my Tori Amos CDs. Yeah, I was miffed when I gave away my Blair Witch Project video (though my mother would throw out far more of my videos than that one). Sure, I was pretty disgusted when I got rid of all my wonderful club clothes. But that's how I've chosen to thank Him on Good Friday.