Have you ever counted how many loads of laundry you do in a day? In a week?
Yes, I know, it's a constant task. But the last month, I seriously knew exactly how many loads of laundry I did, because the machine in our apartment went kaput.
Well, technically it still worked, if I maneuvered the hose up while it filled and down so it could empty at the right times in the cycle. Somehow, even if I did that, the laundry was still either dirty or soapy. I would end up sorting the "clean" clothes for re-washing. Then there were the times the machine would just plain decide not to wring out/spin the load, no matter what I did. I would wring the clothes in the shower and pray for a sunny day. (There are no laundromats here.)
As I contemplated my lot, I thought of the many other missionaries around the world who do not have the amenities we do. Perhaps for them, washing their laundry on a washboard and wringing it out over a drain is an every day task. -In fact, I remember doing just this on a mission trip to the middle-of-nowhere in Mexico. Many missionaries don't have running water; we do most days. Some don't have electricity; again, we do most days. A washing machine felt like a necessity and one I had taken for granted.
This last month, I learned to thank God for many loads of laundry.
We have water.
We have electricity.
We have lots of clothing.
We have many sets of towels and sheets.
We even had enough funds on hand to buy and have installed a brand-new washing machine.
I have a husband who is willing and able to take the frame off the bathroom door so that the largest model of machine in this country (12kilos) will fit in the bathroom door (and I could keep all my kitchen space)!
Yes indeed, we are blessed: with or without a working washing machine. Now, as I have spent the last few days catching up on laundry, I am more grateful. I can truly appreciate what I have and don't have. And the tune of "Count Your Many Blessings" sounds more like this in my head:
Yes, I know, it's a constant task. But the last month, I seriously knew exactly how many loads of laundry I did, because the machine in our apartment went kaput.
Well, technically it still worked, if I maneuvered the hose up while it filled and down so it could empty at the right times in the cycle. Somehow, even if I did that, the laundry was still either dirty or soapy. I would end up sorting the "clean" clothes for re-washing. Then there were the times the machine would just plain decide not to wring out/spin the load, no matter what I did. I would wring the clothes in the shower and pray for a sunny day. (There are no laundromats here.)
As I contemplated my lot, I thought of the many other missionaries around the world who do not have the amenities we do. Perhaps for them, washing their laundry on a washboard and wringing it out over a drain is an every day task. -In fact, I remember doing just this on a mission trip to the middle-of-nowhere in Mexico. Many missionaries don't have running water; we do most days. Some don't have electricity; again, we do most days. A washing machine felt like a necessity and one I had taken for granted.
This last month, I learned to thank God for many loads of laundry.
We have water.
We have electricity.
We have lots of clothing.
We have many sets of towels and sheets.
We even had enough funds on hand to buy and have installed a brand-new washing machine.
I have a husband who is willing and able to take the frame off the bathroom door so that the largest model of machine in this country (12kilos) will fit in the bathroom door (and I could keep all my kitchen space)!
Yes indeed, we are blessed: with or without a working washing machine. Now, as I have spent the last few days catching up on laundry, I am more grateful. I can truly appreciate what I have and don't have. And the tune of "Count Your Many Blessings" sounds more like this in my head:
Count your loads of laundry; see what God has done!
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