The prompt for this week was LAUNDRY. I've been doing laundry since I was knee-hi to a grass hopper! I think I was barely tall enough to reach the lid when I learned to do my first load of laundry.
So here is my (cough, cough) Five Minute contribution. Seriously, we all know by now that I couldn't do an actual Five Minute Post if my life depended on it. If you aren't familiar with FMF, just scroll down to the bottom of the post for the rules…and join us!
Laundry...
I call my laundry room, or rather laundry closet, Mount Never-rest! #MountNeverRest! It seems to be the reminder that a mom's work is never 'done'. Just as you close the washer lid another pile seems to be magically forming...on the floor right next to the laundry hamper. Why is it so hard to lift that lid?
You wash, dry, fold, or put those clothes on the hangers and they find their way back to the beginning…wash, dry, fold...on and on in endless monotony. And then there's the occasional shirt that needs ironing! Yes...I do still iron. I used to HATE doing the laundry for the very reason that it is an endless task.
I said I used to hate it because I don't really hate it now...I don't really like it either, truth be told. However, I have found a purpose in doing the laundry. Any task done just for the sake of 'getting it done', has a tendency to become boring, meaningless, and sometimes even painful. When you attach a meaningful purpose to an otherwise laborious task it takes on a new 'life'. What once was something dreaded or procrastinated over now has purpose and meaning. So even though it still may not be the funnest thing on your to-do list…it can be approached with a new energy and maybe even a lighter heart.
So, instead of resenting that never ending mound of laundry overflowing out of baskets in more than one room in the house, I have learned to find purpose in seeing what those mounds of clothes and linens represent.
Resent To Represent…a new way to look at your laundry!
Your laundry represents:
An opportunity for prayer.
Back in the day when people actually used an iron and ironing board on a fairly regular basis, I realized that instead of being mad that I was the one stuck with the iron in my hand that I could take that time to pray for my son, daughter, or husband. As I ironed an item of clothing that belonged to my daughter I prayed for her…and the same with the rest of my family. It really does put you in a more joyful state of mind to pray as you are ironing.The many blessings in your life.
Yes I said blessings! My husband has worked hard to provide the bulk of the income for our family for our 30 years of marriage. He generates lots of laundry to be washed, dried, and sometimes ironed. But the blessing of having a godly husband and loving father far outweighs all that laundry! Our two children, who are grown now, have been known to generate so much laundry I have wondered if I would ever get caught up. Sometimes just to get them washed, dried and in a basket was enough. If they needed anything, they could pull it out of the basket! But they had clothes. We all had clothes. Maybe not as much as some but most definitely more than enough for our own needs. Children are a blessing from the Lord. Being able to provide for said children is a double blessing.Life!
Families who really know how to live life generate a lot of laundry!! There are those grungy softball, and t-ball uniforms, Tutu's and leotards from the dance recital, Polo shirts and khakis from that golf tournament, Sunday's best dresses and dress shirts and pants, the ice cream stain that doesn't want to come out as a result of the family outing to the local ice cream shop, mounds of sheets with popcorn butter stains from building that fort in the living room on family movie night and on and on it goes. The more that life is lived…really lived, the more dirty clothes will find their way to the laundry room.Thank you Lord for the reminder that when the laundry baskets are full our homes are full!
Full of love, life, and your bountiful blessings! Baskets of blessing!(Click to tweet)
What about you? Do you think of the laundry as a blessing and or a curse?
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (yep! even the laundry) Ecclesiastes 3:1
Now it's your turn!
1. Write for 5 minutes flat - no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...
