Living in Ten-Minute Increments of Grace

Among the many chores that I must do around the house is to periodically wash the dishes. What makes this chore particularly challenging is that I tend to procrastinate and then the job is harder. Trying to scrub a pan or bowl or plate the day after is a lot harder than it would be right after dinner.
One of the biggest mistakes that I make in my spiritual journey is that I seldom repent soon enough. I have in the past waited for services where repentence is emphasized or when I’m having a personal devotion. Then, because my memory is imperfect, I tend to repent in generalities and categories, instead of specific attitudes or actual acts that fall short of God’s righteous demands. This is a mistake with severe consequences on a number of levels.
First, failing to repent often, leads to spiritual disintegration. Sins and attitudes that go unchecked become internalized, habitual and eventually part of one’s person. One then experiences the consequences of those attitudes and behaviors on a personal and relational level and is diminished moment by moment.
Second, failing to repent often, leads to spiritual vulnerability. The enemy of our soul looks for every opening that he can find. A heart which has not fully and continually repentant is weakend and thus vulnerable to pride and temptation. In our weakened state we then are susceptible to being sifted by the enemy and wounded by His attack.
Third, failing to repent often, leads to spiritual isolation. An unrepentant heart is an impediment to intimacy with our heavenly Father and with our offended brothers. God is forgiving to be sure, but He desires continual fellowship with us. When we choose to wait for forgiveness we miss the opportunities of grace that are available to us at any and every hour. We miss the chance in that moment to crawl into his lap and receive from Him mercy and affection for our soul.
And so, I’m learning to live my life in ten-minute increments of grace - returning to my Savior regularly for refreshment and a clean slate. Until I am washed clean for good - it’s easier to wash up right after I’ve slipped in the mud than wait the following morning when its under or stuck to the skin.