By the Rev. John F. Holt, First Lutheran Church, of Albert Lea

&uot;What a great experience!&uot; someone said to me after being a part of the clean-up crew.

A construction crew from the Grazzini Brothers & Company had put new terrazzo flooring in the First Lutheran Church sanctuary, and there was a thick coat of fine dust everywhere.

We asked members of the congregation to volunteer to do the cleanup.

Dozens of people spent hundreds of hours thoroughly cleaning the sanctuary from the peak, 49 feet above the floor, to the corners and crevices around the edges.

They vacuumed everywhere, dusted, washed windows, scraped hundreds of dried pieces of chewing gum off the underside of pews, polished the marble altar, the woodwork and the pews, cleaned the lights, changed light bulbs, spot-cleaned and shampooed all the seat and kneeling cushions, and made lunch for the workers.

It involved moving the heavy pews around, in and out, as well as repairing them and installing new Bible holders.

They said that they found and cleaned up dust in high places that had probably been there for decades.

Whew!

What a job!

And the overwhelming attitude of all who took part was gratitude &045; gratitude for their church, their Lord, the Gospel of love, grace and forgiveness and gratitude for having been privileged to be a part of the clean-up effort with other people.

The esprit de corps was energizing and contagious.

When it was all done, people felt so good about the experience.

Next Wednesday, Feb. 25, is Ash Wednesday, the day many churches mark as the beginning of the 40 days of Lent.

These days are set aside to reflect, repent and be renewed.

We examine our lives, try to forsake our sinful ways and renew our commitment to following Christ.

In a sense, it’s a time of soul clean-up.

Many find it a helpful and energizing experience spiritually.

Many churches add special mid-week worship services during Lent, so that we can go through this spiritual journey of renewal together.

There are dirty places in all of our lives.

Perhaps some &uot;dust&uot; has been there in the corners of your soul for years.

It’s time to get it cleaned out.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Others are on that journey, too.

And, of course, a gracious and loving God is waiting to welcome us, cleanse us and renew us by his spirit.

Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we could be forgiven and given new life in all its fullness.

He accepts you just as you are, but he will never leave you the same.

There is hope.

So, instead of just another month of March Madness this year, how about a good renewal? The Christian churches are waiting to welcome everyone who will come. This spiritual journey isn’t always easy, but well worth the effort.

Along with others on the &uot;clean-up crew,&uot; we can actually have a good time.

At the end of Lent, when we celebrate Easter &045; the fact that our crucified Savior rose from the dead &045; our hearts will be filled with gratitude.

Then we can say together:

&uot;What an experience!

I’m glad I was a part of it.&uot;