Doing the laundry can be an unpleasant experience. When I had a houseful of little boys it was sometimes downright disgusting. It’s not something you would want others to see so it’s done out of sight if at all possible. Sometimes in a separate room or the basement. Far from where you would entertain guests.
We all have dirty laundry. It’s really laughable to think about how we hide that sort of thing thinking it would be inappropriate for others to see. I’m sure all of us have laundry stories. None of us would be shocked by yours.
I remember a season when I was in a difficult circumstance. I’d just had my seventh child by an unplanned C-section. My husband was self-employed and working long hours. I needed help with household tasks and the laundry for nine people topped the list. While I didn’t relish the idea of others doing our laundry, there were a few close friends that I felt comfortable entrusting that chore to. I knew they wouldn’t love me less when they saw my disgusting laundry!
Can I tell you that this picture is a picture of the church? While it isn’t really appropriate to “air your dirty laundry in public” there are people God has put in your life who will not only still love you when they see the ugly things in your life, they will pull out their washboards and help you sort it out and scrub it clean.
Sometimes we just need to allow others to see into our lives so they can come alongside us and help us work through our stuff. Maybe they can’t solve the problems but they can listen and perhaps lighten the load a little. And God has just the right people in mind for you. People who won’t be shocked by the things you share but who will roll up their sleeves and start scrubbing. Be willing to do the same for them.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” –
Galatians 6:2(ESV)
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” –1 Thessalonians 5:14(ESV)
Do you know of someone that could use this word of encouragement today?
Please share this with your friends. Perhaps it’s just what they need to get through their day.