Every now and then I get a glimpse of the bottom of my washing basket. It’s an exciting moment and one that doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, I get a tiny taste of what it might be like to have that job finished.
Unfortunately, clothes washing never really gets finished and won’t unless we all decide to join a nudist colony—but that is never going to happen! So, I will just have to suck it up and try to joyfully continue to sort colours, wash, hang and fold the clothes until the cows come home.
Thankfully it’s not a job I hate. There is something soothing about the familiarity of it, the thinking time it gives me, and the brain-numbing monotony of doing something repeatedly that I don’t have to use too much brain power for (work with me here, I’m trying to find something positive about it). After a day of problem-solving in many other areas, doing the washing can almost be (dare I say it)—therapeutic. But please don’t tell my husband.
As a reward for my efforts, my family wears clean, nice smelling clothes which is a blessing to the noses of everyone they cross paths with. I guess you could say, this is the reaping of my sowing?
I could choose to refuse
In a household where everyone has certain jobs or chores, each job is important to the smooth running of the house. When a job fails to get done, the consequences affect everyone.
We could choose to refuse our responsibilities, but that only leads to dispute, discomfort and disharmony amongst us. To create a peaceful household, responsibilities need to be taken responsibly, and everyone benefits.
Reaping what we sow
In Galations chapter six, Paul writes about reaping what we sow.
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (verse 8)
Sin and righteousness also have their own results. When we live to please ourselves only, we are feeding the sinful nature and are of no fruitfulness to anyone else. By feeding our selfish desires, we take from others to make our own lives comfortable—which funnily enough, has the opposite result and ends up making us uncomfortable.
When we live to edify and build others up by allowing the Spirit to flow through us, we see the fruits at work reaping a bountiful harvest and filling us with greater joy than we could ever have imagined.
Made for more
Obviously, I am no longer talking specifically about washing, but if we take a simple concept like that, it sometimes helps to put other areas of our lives into perspective.
God doesn’t want us to be islands working only for our own pleasure. We were made for more than that, and when we all work together for the good of each other, we create a beautiful world and the joy comes bounding back to us.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galations chapter 6 verses 9-10)
So, while jobs like doing washing or taking the bins out may seem menial and insignificant, like the old saying says “don’t put off to tomorrow what could be done today.”
Though sometimes I prefer to say, “I’m putting off until tomorrow what could be done today because today has enough troubles of its own.” (on second thoughts…maybe don’t follow that one).
Rebecca and her husband have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca writes for various publications including print, online and commercial. Her first book titled ‘First to Forty’ is available on Amazon and Kindle. Keep an eye out for her second book—coming soon. For more information you can find Rebecca: http://www.rebeccamoore.life, Facebook: Rebecca Moore – Author, Instagram: rebeccamoore_author
Rebecca and her husband have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca writes for various publications including print, online and commercial. She is the author of two books: ‘First to Forty’ and ‘Pizza and Choir’. For more information you can find Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccamoore.life, Facebook: Rebecca Moore - Author, Instagram: rebeccamoore_author
Rebecca Moore's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/rebecca-moore.html