“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
No matter how wonderful a trip or vacation, coming home to the Northern Virginia area can quickly become a test of patience, especially on Interstate 95 on a holiday weekend. This was the case for us on our return trip from North Carolina yesterday. In the bumper-to-bumper traffic, I had plenty of time to think about the upcoming week’s tasks and obligations. One of those tasks is, of course, laundry. Admittedly, laundry is not one of my favorite household chores. Mostly because I am rather picky about how my laundry is done, and I probably make it more complicated than it should be. I am very particular about what gets washed together, so sorting is a big deal. I wash different sorts on different cycles and temperatures. I do not put everything in the dryer; some must hang dry, and I like to get the clothes out of the dryer while they are still warm so the wrinkles can be smoothed out. Wow, just writing about my obsessive laundry habits makes me like it even less!
As I was thinking about and dreading the chores ahead, coupled with the traffic’s frustration, I picked up a recent gift from a dear friend to lighten my mood. It’s a small book called “gratitude prayers.” It only took a few page turns to land on “The Wash Prayer.” Sometimes, God just makes me laugh, and this was one of those times. Who would have ever thought in my dread of laundry that God would give me a prayer? But He did, and I will share it with you.
The Wash Prayer by Lisa Zimmerman
On the best days I offer this invisible work, this work so easily undone.
So when the memory of sleep is smoothed from beds, when breakfast bowls
return to their cupboard I begin the litany of laundry
Sadly astonished to see again the hill of clothes slumped in the wicker basket,
all their pride gone, their lives inhabiting other garments.
And if it’s a good day I lovingly sort dark socks and wadded trousers from
Dad’s white T-shirts and Mom’s pastels.
Into the vessel, faithful as a truck, they go, to churn and swirl in their
mysterious froth making shapes I cannot see.
And after the dryer revives each wet skin, I sit and fold these clothes
into safety, health, laughter, and home.
This prayer reminded me that I have the privilege of doing laundry because I am blessed with more than enough clothes to wear, a loving family that contributes to the haystacks of laundry, a fully functioning washer and dryer in my home with running water that washes the dirt and soil from the filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) just as Jesus, the Living Water washes our sins away (Zechariah 13;1). The next time you gaze into your swirling wash waters, give thanks for His cleansing blood and His provision of clothing. It can change your perspective about laundry; it does mine. There is much to be thankful for, even laundry. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.