Laundry, oh how I hated it!

I found myself in the midst of a pile of laundry. With 8 children at home plus my lovely husband, the laundry never seemed to be finished. The sheets, towels, and cloth diapers that needed to be washed, plus the massive amount of clothing, made me feel like I did laundry every day, all day long. 

People would tell me I needed to “put systems in place”. Have the older children do their own laundry, at least put it away. I found myself grumbling and grouchy every time the dryer would buzz. 

Then one day, while getting the diapers off the line, I broke down crying. Totally broken at the weight of motherhood responsibilities. That's when it happened. 

God met me in my brokenness. The warmth of the sun and the fresh smell of clean diapers, I realized I had prayed for this very moment. I was blessed with so many babies. I was blessed with a husband who valued me being home. I was blessed not only with water to wash with, but also with clothing for these sweet children. The dirt meant they had fun that day. We were blessed. 

From that day on, every piece of laundry I folded, I prayed and thanked the Lord for such blessings. My perspective changed. My heart changed. Yes, the older children started helping more. It’s our duty to teach them, to disciple them, and encourage them to be good stewards of their possessions. “Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (ASV)

After all these years, with 5 of the 12 still home, daily laundry still occurs, but it’s no longer a hated chore. It’s my time for a one-on-one time with the Lord, thanking him for our blessings. May this encourage you today, and you probably have laundry still in the dryer…. That’s okay!