How many of you love doing household chores?
I can hear the moans. Though there are many who find enjoyment in doing these activities, there are probably more who prefer not to be involved. I’d say I fall in between both categories. I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either.
One of my equal responsibilities with my wife is to do the laundry. Wash, dry, fold, and put away is a routine I can do blindfolded. Well, that might not be totally true or at least not effectively but you know what I mean.
Recently our dryer started making a loud screeching sound…like metal against metal. There’s a few diagnoses I could label it via Google, but now a days the labor/parts vs buying a new product is taken much more into consideration. New products though typically do not last as long as they once did. I’ve lost count of how many dryers we’ve had in our home of nearly 40 yrs of marriage.
So I decided to do something different this go round. I laid hands on the dryer and prayed…. Lord, though this dryer doesn’t sound like it will continue to work, I ask that it keep going for many days to come.
After my prayer, I began to reflect on the many things in life that do not function like they originally did, but yet some how have kept going.
Things age, become used, and wear out eventually. But the more I thought about it, it’s interesting to discover how many things that do age and still keep going. Yes, some TLC might need to be applied occasionally and they don’t operate quite like they once did, but they still get the job done.
How about you and me?
Can we apply the same equation to ourselves? Have we been unhinged or broken before? Yes, mentally, physically, and even spiritually if we are honest. I’ve come to face it, I can’t run like I once did. You mean you can still run? (might be a thoughtful reply). Slowly yes. Definitely not as far.
I’ve had fragmented parts. Parts that had to be mended. Some of us have had parts replaced. I’ve had pieces of me that have felt worn out and defeated. The mind games that the enemy plays can be challenging. Our spiritual journey can take us over what seems like jagged boulders. The course we’re on might not be perfectly flat and straight.
But somehow…. some way….. through His way, you and I have continued to be functional… productive….. fruitful.
God truly is the great Physician.
Even if we wear wrinkles and have sore feet, we keep moving, we keep going because He designed a way for us to be able to. Even when cob-webbed memories bring more sorrow and regret than joy, we keep going. Even if we turn grey, rusty, and squeak, He has a purpose for us to continue to create, to make, succeed, and be an asset in this crazy world we live in.
God values us and we are special in His sight. There’s good fruit coming forth! No matter what condition you are in….it doesn’t matter where you have been…or what you once was capable of vs now….God has a purpose for you in His kingdom here on earth.
Lingering Thoughts:
Ask God what you can do for Him. Often times we think it has to be something big and impactful to many for it to be pleasing to Him. The shepherd valued that one sheep enough to go find it. God is looking for anyone who will simply help another….one person at a time.
Here’s 4 supportive verses to help guide you.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18
Even as you grow old and your hair turns gray, I’ll keep carrying you! I am your Maker and your Caregiver. I will carry you and be your Savior. Isaiah 46:4
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Mountain/ Flower images by Melody & Kyle
Old/ New images by Create228studio
