A Residue Of Polish

Every so often, I clean the outside of my kitchen cabinets with Murphy’s Oil Soap.
I love the smell.
I love how clean the cabinet doors look.
I love the way the wood shines.

I decided to wipe the front of all my cabinets early in the morning.
I got out my bucket and put just a bit of Murphy’s Oil Soap in the bottom.
I put warm water in the bucket, filling it only half way.
I got an old towel from the rag bag.

I started this job before my husband even came downstairs in the morning.
I was listening to a podcast.
I was making progress with all the cabinet doors.
Then I looked and saw some white spots.

I had not buffed the doors quick enough.
I had the beginning of water spots.
I was so annoyed at myself.
Usually, I wash the doors and then dry them right away.

To save time, I decided to do a few doors at once.
My heart sank.
I went into the laundry room cabinet and got out the furniture polish.
I used my dry towel and went to work.

I sprayed some polish on each door.
I buffed the cabinet doors to a shine.
I was so pleased with the way they looked.
I had never thought to use that polish on my cabinet doors before.

The water spots were gone!
Perhaps, I got to them quickly enough.
There was no remaining water spots to be found.
I was so thankful.

Then, I walked around my kitchen and my shoes squeaked.
The floor all along my cabinets was a bit slippery.
I realized that when I sprayed the furniture polish, some of the spray fell onto the floor.
There was a residue all along the perimeter.

The furniture polish solved one problem and caused another.
It is not a big problem.
A good floor washing should take care of it.
In the mean time, the slippery floor brought back memories.

When I dust mopped my hardwood floors, the same thing happened many years ago.
I remember my boys coming downstairs in their socks and slipping on the floors.
There were no tears.
There were giggles and purposeful sliding across the foyer and down the upstairs hallway.

I can’t see the polish residue but I know it’s there.
It is invisible but present nonetheless.
I have shiny cabinets and slippery floors.
My shoes still squeak.

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like– always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73)

Asaph, the psalmist, asked the age old question: Why do the wicked prosper?
As he wrestled with that question, his foot almost slipped.
He envied all they had; he thought that following God and living to please Him was in vain.
However, Asaph was given a fresh perspective when he entered the sanctuary of God.

When Asaph focused on God and not the people and circumstances around him, he saw clearly.
It was not Asaph who was on slippery ground.
He knew God is always with him.
God is the strength of his heart and his portion forever.

We would do well to remember that truth.
Do not look around in envy as you compare yourself to others.
Look at God who is near.
Look at God who is your refuge.

I know where to walk in my kitchen so my foot will not slip.
With God near me, holding me and guiding me, my foot will not slip.
It is good to be near God.
Loving God and following Him is never in vain.