TRICIA EDWARDS

I wasn’t asking for a home inspection, but apparently, the sun had other plans. 

I was just passing through the kitchen, minding my own business, when a bright beam of sunlight streamed through the window and landed squarely on my stove. It wasn’t a soft glow, either—it was one of those unforgiving, high-definition, “let’s show every single detail” kinds of lights. And oh, did it reveal the truth! The dust that had quietly settled on the stove over the past few days was now on full display, glinting like little specks of glitter—except not the fun kind. 

“Really?” I thought to myself. “Didn’t I just clean you? Like yesterday?” 

Evidently, the sun had decided it was time for some truth-telling. It was like it was gossiping about the state of my stove, loudly announcing, “Look what she missed!” The GALL! It sneaks in ever so quietly, acts all innocent, and then, suddenly, it’s running the place! My first thought was to close the blinds. Yeah… that would hide it, and then I could just go about my day. It would not cause any harm, and I could choose when to clean it. It felt as if the dust was glaring at me, practically shouting in a demanding, audible voice, “Clean me!” 

I paced past the dusty stove… back and forth, back, and forth. I had things to do, people to see, places to be, and no time for a deep clean. Besides, I know myself—if I started with the stove, I’d have to clean everything. And let’s be honest, scrubbing the entire house was not how I planned to spend this gorgeous sunny day! Nope, not happening. 

But as I stood there, staring at the unexpected tattletale that was my kitchen window, I couldn’t help but think—how often does God’s light do the same thing in our lives? Good thing He’s not afraid to roll up His sleeves and help us do some serious soul-spring-cleaning. 

Just like that sunbeam revealed the dust I hadn’t noticed, God’s light often shines into the corners of our heart, revealing things we’d prefer to ignore. Maybe it’s a habit we’ve let creep back in, an unchecked attitude, or a prayer time that’s become a little too rushed. Most days, we can move along and pretend we’ve got it all together—until God’s light shows up and lovingly exposes what needs attention. 

And just sayin’, sometimes that revelation feels just as inconvenient as spotting dust when you weren’t planning to clean. 

But here’s the beauty: God doesn’t shine His light to shame us. He’s not pointing out the dust to make us feel bad. No, He shines His light because He loves us too much to let things pile up unnoticed. Just like I grabbed a cloth and gave that stove a quick wipe, God invites us to let Him clean up the messes we didn’t even realize were there. 

The thing about dust? It didn’t make my stove any less useful or valuable—it just needed some care. And the same is true for us. When God reveals areas in our lives that need His touch, it’s not because we’re failing; it’s because He’s inviting us to experience more of His grace, more of His presence, and more of His transforming love. 

But if we ignore the “dust” in our lives—the little compromises, hidden struggles, or unaddressed wounds—it doesn’t just stay the same; it builds up. At first, it may seem small, barely noticeable, but over time, it settles deeper, layer upon layer, until what was once a minor issue becomes a full-blown mess. 

The longer we put it off, the harder it becomes to clean. But when we let God’s light shine into those places, He doesn’t just expose the mess—He cleans it up. His grace sweeps through our hearts, renewing and restoring us, turning what once felt overwhelming into something whole and beautiful again. 

So, the next time you see a beam of sunlight exposing some dust—whether on your stove or anywhere else—take a moment. Smile, laugh a little, and remember that God’s light is always shining, not to gossip about your mess, but to gently call you back to Him. 

And hey, maybe keep a dust cloth handy. You never know when the sun will decide to share your secrets again. 

Ephesians 5:13 (NIV) “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” 

Tricia Edwards is a passionate pastor’s wife, mother, worship leader, and comedian. She and her husband, Kevin, planted Destiny Center Church in Carterville, IL over 13 years ago and continue to pastor the thriving congregation. Known for her powerful voice and quick wit, Tricia brings both heartfelt worship and joyful laughter wherever she goes. Her life is a testimony of faith, service, and encouragement to everyone she meets.