What type of vacuum are you?

Tonight some ministry partners gifted me a vacuum to celebrate my birthday. What an amazing gift it is! They even opened the box, put it together for me then my teenage son, Josiah, proceeded to demonstrate it. (I wanted to make sure and mention that so that I have proof that he does know how to run a vacuum if he should ever have a memory lapse!) It is the most amazing thing! (Yes, the vacuum and a teenager running it!) Asher, a two-year-old that we get to edify while his parents are sharpening tools for the Kingdom’s use, had been running our little push vacuum on the floor. He just loves to vacuum. (Yes, I am documenting his vacuum skills for later years if necessary!) What an amazing thing it was, when Josiah ran the new vacuum over the same area that Asher had just finished sweeping for almost 20 minutes! There was a vast difference. I was very excited. Even two-year-old Asher saw the difference and could hardly wait to get his hands on it! He even said … PLEASE! (Miracles never stop!) Throughout the evening I kept marveling and commenting on how great it was to have a vacuum that actually makes a difference. Even during my ministry time of detoxing and anointing feet I kept seeing how blessed having a real vacuum with power was going to be. I mean, no more icky stuff between the edge of the carpet and baseboard! Can I get an “Amen” here please? This machine has the super suction and attachments that allow even the remotest places to be reached and cleaned. My husband even had to give it a try when he got home from work. He used it on the return air vent in the hall and the baseboard … yip it did a stellar job! Whoo Hoo! It’s not just a vacuum for carpet it does way more … hardwood floors, vents, ceiling fans, and who knows what else! I do have to note that when Malachi got home from his discipleship class, he wasn’t as eager to try it out. He has obviously been reaping from his classes as he already had insight or discernment that if he vacuumed, mom would want more. Tee Hee.

Well, as I was preparing to end my day, spending quiet time with God, seeking His will and petitioning/lifting a dear friend and ministry partner and family up in prayer for healing … yip you probably guessed it … my thoughts returned yet again to the excitement of the new vacuum. You probably are pondering as to what praying for healing has to do with a vacuum … but wait! There’s more! Yes, this simple, man-made vacuum brought to mind our time with God. Are you a little push vacuum in your time with God? Spending a large amount of time repeating the same thing over and over and not accomplishing much or possibly making matters worse? Becoming more discouraged because you don’t see results for all the time, effort and energy you put in to it? … OR … Are you a full-size, turbo suction vacuum? Does the time you spend with God produce fabulous fruit and deep cleansing healing? Are you using the tools and attachments that come with your vacuum (time with God) to get the hard to reach spots, the nooks and crannies of your life? Are you allowing Him to have the super suction power in your life? Allowing Him to have access to the dirty, messy, soiled carpet in your life … even the vents, the ceiling fan blades -- all the nooks and crannies? Your spiritual carpet definitely shows the type of vacuum you have selected for use in your personal life. Are you seeing a nice, colorful, clean carpet that’s something other than the color of dirt? Is there a crispness in your witness and walk thanks to the cleaning of all the nooks and crannies that were bogged down with dirt, hair, Lego parts, BB gun pellets, etc? (Hey, our #1 mission field is filled with amazing sons! What can I say!) Are you lighter, freer, open and even eager to reach out to others because the dirt has been removed from your spiritual home? Do you find a new or renewed bounce in your step/witness because you see and experience the difference a quality “vacuum” (time listening and talking with God) can do? Are you glowing in the absence of all the dirt and debris? Are others being touched and encouraged by your glow?

I want to challenge you to stop and look at your spiritual carpet. How’s it looking? Are you cleaning it? How often? What type of tools are you using for the cleaning and upkeep? Is it crisp, colorful and standing up? Or is it dull, dirty and matted? If you discern that the only vacuum you have in your possession is just a push vacuum, make sure and use it until you decide to invest in a super suction vacuum. It’s better than nothing but don’t delay, as the longer you neglect -- the deeper and dirtier it gets. If you want prayer, encouragement, tips, tools, laughter, etc, please feel free to contact us! We are here for you and would be honored to pray with and for you and whatever else God wants us to do in your life! Oh and feel free to drop by our place and try out my new birthday vacuum! We’d LOVE to have you!! Honest! (Even if you don’t really vacuum!)

Hugs, blessings and prayers to you!

Created to Serve in Love,

Michelle