by Doris E. Howie
Dust flew before the energetic broom, wielded in a fervour of anticipation. The house must be
glistening, it must be spotless for the long-awaited guest. She couldn't have him see her home at
anything less than its very best.
Quickly she rubbed a soft cloth over the furniture, removing imagined specks of dust from the
gleaming surface. A tug here, a tuck there, and the chesterfield cushions returned to showroom
condition. Straighten the freshly-cleaned draperies, and check the folds of the snow-white
curtains.
"That's better," she thought to herself. "The place is starting to look presentable."
Oops, maybe she had better give the bathroom a last-minute tour of inspection. Fresh soap -
check; towels and facecloths, clean and pressed - check; porcelain, marble and glass all gleaming
as a result of her industry. Good!
Back to the kitchen for yet another look around. Was everything in order? Linens, silverware,
platters, crystal - all in order, and the meal done to perfection. Wonderful! Now she could relax.
She looked at her watch. Fifteen minutes to spare, and everything was in readiness for her guest's
arrival.
Thank God she had had a week's notice of the planned visit. It had taken every spare minute to
achieve this state of perfection.
Thank God . . . .
Does this sound like you? Do you leave things to the last minute, rushing madly to tidy the house
when company is coming - dusting, cleaning, washing, picking up unsightly newspapers left lying,
or dirty laundry heaped in a corner awaiting wash day?
If you are this kind of person, remember that when the most important Guest of all arrives, there
will be no week's notice of His coming. He will not send a courtesy note to say He will be in
your neighbourhood on Tuesday next week, so you had better get your house in order. He will
not phone ahead for a reservation!
Nor will He be fooled by the outward perfection of your surroundings - if your heart is flawed in
love. No amount of cajoling will convince Him that your gleaming silverware is worthy of His
praise if your neighbour has suffered loss at your hands. No fast and easy answers will persuade
Him that your claim on Him is real if your deeds belie your words.
You see, the only Guest who matters gave you notice years ago to prepare Him room in your
heart. In fact, He wrote you a Book about it!
He will fill your heart today, if you invite Him in, for His Spirit can touch those who reach out to
Him; but if you do not prepare Him room today by obeying His commandments . . . . Well, you
need not worry about cleaning your house for His coming. He will not judge your book by its
cover - nor your heart by your make-up!
Yet it is so simple to prepare Him room. All you have to do is love the Lord your God with all
your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might; and love your neighbour as yourself.
Repent of your past mistakes; claim the free gift of salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ,
God's only begotten Son - and know that you are saved!
No more worries about His coming; no more worries about anything.
Mind, He doesn't promise you a rose garden; but He does promise you love, joy, peace and the
strength to handle any problems you may ever face.
Why not dust off the doorknob of your heart today and open your life to Him? There's so much
to be enjoyed once you do.
I know!
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