Passing the washing machine recently brought back a memory which made me smile to myself, but also brought to mind a Spiritual application:
Years ago, when I was first learning to do my own laundry, I apparently did not listen closely enough to the instructions I was given, because on inspection of the washing machine I saw that it only had two options for laundry load size: small or extra large. My load was neither small nor extra large, but more like a medium load; so, with a bit of work, I managed to get the dial to stay pointed at the line separating the two sizes and deposited my load of clothes. I then moved on to the next item of the day.
Shortly, I had occasion to pass the laundry area and was quite surprised when I stepped in a puddle of water from the overflowing washing machine. Confused as to why the washing machine would do such a thing, I quickly turned it off and asked a sibling to aid me in cleaning up the mess.
I have thought of this crazy memory before, but somehow when it popped into my mind this time it seemed to be accompanied by the thought that this kind of incident happens in the life of Christians far too often. We try to make our own way work, get confused and frustrated when it does not and we end up in a mess, and then we seek the help of a human friend instead of turning to our Ever Present Help. If we simply followed His way to begin with, we would avoid much heartache, hurt, frustration, and confusion; instead we stubbornly work, at times quite hard, to get our own way and then wonder why we ended up in such a mess. At times even this is not enough to turn us to our Guide and we instead turn to the aid of friends before realizing only He is able to bring “Beauty for ashes.”
Oh that we had a closer walk with the Lord, a sweeter communion, and a more complete trust in His wisdom and working.
