Do you feel like cleaning?

The weather had been gorgeous for the past week. After a long winter where the remnants of an ice storm lingered for weeks, spring temperatures had finally arrived, and I could not wait to sit on the porch and enjoy the warmer air.

But just as spring settled in, so did the pollen.

Around here, some people affectionately call it “the pollening.” A fine yellow dust coats every outdoor surface, turning my inviting porch into something that first needed attention. If I wanted to enjoy sitting outside, I had to do the work of cleaning it first.

As I wiped down the furniture, I thought about how often life with God works the same way. We love the idea of peace, growth, purpose, and spiritual fruit. We want deep relationships and hearts that feel close to the Lord. But many of those things are cultivated, not stumbled upon.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

The harvest comes later. First comes the unseen work – the faithfulness, the obedience, the choosing forgiveness when it’s hard, the serving when no one notices.

Pollen doesn’t disappear on its own, and neither do the things that slowly settle into our hearts and distract us from what matters most. Sometimes enjoying the good gifts God has given us requires a little intentional clearing away first.

And while the work is not glamorous, there is joy waiting on the other side of faithfulness. The freshly cleaned porch becomes a place to rest. A tended heart becomes a place where God’s fruit can flourish.

Thoughts to Ponder:

• Is there any “pollen” that has quietly settled into your heart lately that needs to be cleared away?

• What is one area where God may be inviting you into faithful, consistent work instead of quick results?