Perspective

(And you thought you had a bad day)

I'’ll be the first to admit that my life is pretty easy. I basically get up when I want to do what I want. I want to obey Jesus so some of what I do is in response to what He's revealed in His Word or through His Holy Spirit. I also want to please me husband and take care of my family, and many of my activities flow out of this desire.

One of these duties is doing the laundry. I was busy all day yesterday, but when I tried to figure out what I'd accomplish it was hard to think of anything specific, except laundry. The clothes were washed and I even managed to fold them as they came out of the dryer. This contrasts my usual pattern of hanging up the shirts and slacks and dumping all the small stuff like socks and other white items into the hamper. This hamper is then moved into my large bathroom where it sits for a day or so until I take the time to match the socks and fold the rest and put everything away.

But yesterday, I needed to justify that I had spent productive time so I dealt with all the clothing that came out of the dryer. I even stood there, encouraging and congratulating myself, "I know this is boring, just do it—that way you can put everything away TODAY!"” (okay, some of us have smaller goals than others!)

After properly placing all clean clothes where they belonged I carefully arranged our empty hamper in our closet. I looked at it with satisfaction, but later, after my husband and I changed for bed, I glanced at the hamper and--—it was half full!

I groaned. My husband raised his eyebrows in question. "It'’s just so frustrating to get every bit of laundry done and to have the hamper full again."”

My husband just looked at me. He is a kind man and didn'’t say the obvious--—but as he stood silently before me the irony struck me--—you see he is a surgeon. While I hold clean socks in my hands, he hold lives in his. But I never hear him complain about his job. I said, "“I guess you might wish that the frustrations in your life were as simple as dirty clothes."”

Sometimes all it takes to gain a proper perspective is to compare our situation with what others face. "“Father, forgive me for grumbling about my jobs. I have a washer and dryer in my own home, with money to pay for the water and soap and even dryer sheets. YouÂ’ve given me time and good health and every single thing that I need to do this simple job. I really am grateful--and thankful that you care enough about me to wash me up and make me clean from ugly attitudes like grumbling. I love you, Lord. Amen."”