FOLDING WASHCLOTHS
Can I just say, sometimes things are really, really hard? I mean, sometimes I seriously just want to stay home, lock the door, turn off the phone and computer, and just do something really easy.
All day long.
Like… folding washcloths.
Simple.
Little.
Squares.
Ahhhhhhh.
Easy.
Instead I feel like more often than not, my dryer is full of fitted bedsheets that are a NIGHTMARE to fold at all, let alone neatly! *laughing*
I had a friend remind me the other day that when you’re faced with a difficulty, or something you do NOT want to do, you just gotta push through it… don’t give up quickly… because there’s a reward on the other side.
When we start a new exercise program and doing pushups is really, really hard, and running makes our lungs burn and squats make our thighs hurt… if we push through the pain and continue to work out, the benefits are profound, not only physically, but emotionally, mentally and even spiritually as well.
When we have a disagreement with someone and the relationship becomes uncomfortable, if we push through the hurt feelings and discomfort and put the relationship above being right, more often than not healing can occur… not only to the relationship itself, but to those in the relationship as well, individually.
When we mess up and are being held accountable for our mistakes, it can be embarrassing or humiliating. But, if we push through the embarrassment and allow the humiliation to actually humble us… we can learn from the mistake and use the lesson to help us avoid making the same mistake in the future.
I remember reading this poem when I was a little girl… some say the author is unknown, some say it’s Edgar Albert Guest - I’m not sure, but it’s worth sharing either way!
Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Scripture substantiates this as well. Just before the Apostle Paul was executed, he wrote to his young protege, Timothy. He clearly knew he was about to die, and probably horribly. (History suggests Paul was beheaded by the Roman Emperor Nero.) Even after all he had endured thus far, Paul knew he needed to push through this final struggle, end the race well… and receive the reward on the other side. Part of his pushing through was to encourage Timothy (and others) to do so also. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 he says, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.”
So, on those days when it feels like we have a dryer full of fitted sheets, we can dump them all on the bed, take one sheet at a time, tuck the corners into each other, fold them into neat little stacks and receive the reward of a linen closet so beautiful it makes the angels sing.
And THEN spend some time doing something EASY… like just folding washcloths.