A New Closet

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

With spring's arrival, and since I need to do it anyway, I've been cleaning out our closets. The kids have grown, so some of their items are being handed down or handed over to ministries that can help them find new homes. I'm trying to follow the rule, "If you haven't worn it in so many months, get rid of it." I finally had to admit that even if some styles come back in fashion, I didn't really like the items that much the first time!

Today's verse, since it mentions "clothe", caught my eye. Then, I read what we can clothe ourselves with. Wow! Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience — how much different our days would be if we were to pull our clothes from that closet!

Right before that verse, there is a list of all the things we could be rid of:

Colossians 3:7-10 – You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (NIV)

Those are not even worth recycling or handing down. It's time for a new self and a better closet. Look out, best dressed list! We've got a new wardrobe.

Prayer: God, thank You that You know what we need, even when it involves a new attitude. Thank You for the words of wisdom in the Bible. Help us to clean the closets of our hearts and minds, and fill them with brand new ideas from You. Amen.