AN ADAGE A DAY- ENCOURAGEMENT
We Are God's Dirt
By Carole Gilbert
Last month I wrote about my green thumb and my baby plant that’s not doing well. Now I have two new babies, and one is having its own baby. So, along with my grand cats and grand dogs, I now have a grand bell pepper. But this column is not about grands and it’s not about worms, although I might open a can of worms with it. Instead, it’s about dirt, the place where worms are found. And I’m not really talking about dirt. I’m talking about cleanliness. I always heard this saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” throughout my whole 65 years of life and I always thought it must be scriptural. Do you know it is not? I’m really sort of glad because raising my children I was known to use the phrase, “A little dirt never hurt anyone.” I’ve even said it to my grands.
For me, getting dirty while weeding in a flower bed or garden, or digging a hole to plant something, can be so therapeutic. And cutting our own firewood is so rewarding. So why do some think dirt, and getting dirty, is a frowned upon activity? And when did worms or opening a can of worms become a dirty topic?
​
People sometimes disagree about cleanliness versus being dirty. Usually men overlook dirt, or at least a little, whereas women usually prefer cleanliness, especially being completely clean.
(photo courtesy of Lauryn Gilbert)
For example, my son thinks going for a dip in the swimming pool makes him clean enough. My daughter-in-law disagrees. She thinks we need to be cleaned from the swimming pool water also. What do you think? I’ve learned it’s best sometimes to not open a can of worms, so, I’m not going to agree with either.
This proverb, “Cleanliness is next to godliness” has been debated and discussed in many sermons and homes. What does it truly mean and how long has it been around? It is in reference to keeping oneself free from being dirty but also being spiritually clean. It began in the 1600’s. And although thought to be biblical, this phrase is not said specifically in the Bible. Some verses do give light to virtual cleansing while others refer to dirt or dust.
Genesis 2:7 tells us God made man from dust. And later in Genesis 3:19 we read God says to dust we will return.
But, referring to a different situation, 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
It seems to me, being dirty and being clean are both important and understanding both help us get closer to God. So, I don’t know which I’d rather be, clean as a whistle or dirty with my grands. What I do know is God made me from dirt and I’m happy about it. And I also know it’s only because of Jesus that I was made clean.