Let the Lord Hose You Off

Alright, butterbean, pull up a rocker on this here front porch and let’s go to wadin’ knee‑deep into today’s story like an ol’ hound dog ‘a-wadin’out  into a kiddie pool he ain’t supposed to be ‘a-gitin’ into.

You gotta be lettin’ the love of God be your fuel on this fine, new day, the same way a squirrel done gets fueled up on acorns before runnin’ across the road like it ain’t got no thought o’ ever ‘a-needin’ any life insurance.

Now, that there Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9, “If  we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and clean us up.” And JuneBug, He ain’t ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout the kind of confession where you’ll be ‘a-sayin’, “Yep, I did it,” then you go to trottin’ right back out there like a lil’ goat ‘a-squeezin’ through the same hole in the fence. That there, friend, is not confession. That there is bein’ a repeatin’ offendin’ customer.

Confession means agreein’ with God about our big mess. It means ‘a-seein’ sin for what it really is, not what we was ‘a-wishin’ it was. Sin is like that there skunk that comes ‘a-wanderin’ up under your porch. You can be pretendin’ it ain’t there, but everybody else can done be ‘a-smellin’ it, and sooner or later you’re gonna have to be dealin’ with it.

Isaiah 59:2 done told us that “sin puts distance between us and God.” And let me tell you, buttercup, that there distance feels about as wide as a cow pasture when you’re ‘a-wearin’ flip‑flops. Sin done messes with your ability to be hearin’ God, enjoyin’ His blessings, and showin’ folks what Jesus looks like. Instead of ‘a-seein’ Christ in us, they gonna end up seein’ sompin’ doggone’ closer to a raccoon done got caught up in the church dumpster.

But here’s the real good news. The Holy Spirit is ‘a-nudgin’ us. Sometimes gently. Sometimes like a rooster ‘a-jumpin’ on your head at sunrise. He done convicts us so we can be confessin’, turnin’ around, and walkin’ clean again.

Confession means seein’ sin plum clearly, bein’ real sorry for it, askin’ sincerely for forgiveness, and decidin’ to be turnin’ plum away from it. And when we done that, goodness gracious, our good God is forgivin’ and washin’ us cleaner than a pig after a surprise thunderstorm.

Father, I come to You ‘a-knowin’ I can’t be ‘a-walkin’ through this here life very straight without ‘a-needin’ Your help. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who nudges, corrects, and keeps me from ‘a-wanderin’ off like a goat with nobody to be ‘a-lookin’ after him. Be showin’ me any sin or habit that is ‘a-needin’ to go away. Be givin’ me the courage to confess it, turn from it, and live in a way that will be ‘a-bringin’ You joy and glory. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Now, land sakes, go on out there, Buttercup, and be ‘a-lettin’ the Lord shine real bright through you today. And if you feel yourself beginnin’ to be ‘a-driftin’, remember that even a stubborn ol’ one-eyed mule can be ‘a-learnin’ to walk straight when the Master takes ahold of them there reins.

With joy,

Gwen