While speaking to a friend on the phone, FDR mentioned how much I missed my laundry chute and how EVERYTHING now is thrown into a hamper inside our room -- out in the open where others may happen to smell it -- EVERYDAY!
I laughed...remembering how blissfully simple it was to toss all our dirty laundry down the chute into the darkness of the basement. I laugh...knowing full well that our dirty laundry is OUT IN THE OPEN for anyone to view.
I laughed...remembering how blissfully simple it was to toss all our dirty laundry down the chute into the darkness of the basement. I laugh...knowing full well that our dirty laundry is OUT IN THE OPEN for anyone to view.
Living at our old home was an oasis; it was an island of our very own. Privileged few saw anything out of place -- unfortunately only available to those residing inside. Nevertheless, here on campus in an apartment building among several other families, the magnifying glass is in front of me. Did I mention the laundry area is right outside our door? All who do their dreaded must-do chore hear, hopefully not always, the going ons of the Barberg gang.
Yesterday was an unexpected blessing. After minutes from throwing my back out, this community came calling offering all the help needed from watching/feeding children, setting up a chiropractor appointment, preparing a meal, precisely situating the heating pad while taking in the aroma of the un-showered moi. And then, then, the laundry was washed and folded!
A self-proclaimed (and many on-going confessions) control freak...a sassy "I'll-do-it-myself"; *this* allowing others IN is uncomfortable territory for me. But since I was stuck literally on my back, I had no other option and relinquished control. Letting go where others are, indeed, welcome into my mess, inspite of this messy soul, and are willingly embraced.
To think that I had the nerve to believe one could handle anything on their own -- by hiding away -- by hibernating the soul! God-given love is the remedy. Carefully, I learn, for myself that is, that by allowing others to truly love you, to receive God's grace, and forgiveness... it is then one may start to heal...Lord have mercy!
To think that I had the nerve to believe one could handle anything on their own -- by hiding away -- by hibernating the soul! God-given love is the remedy. Carefully, I learn, for myself that is, that by allowing others to truly love you, to receive God's grace, and forgiveness... it is then one may start to heal...Lord have mercy!
So, for now, I actually like my dirty laundry out there while tending to it more often -- rechecking and rechecking to make sure I am well enough to help others the way they have helped me.
Thank you!
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
6 comments:
I really hope your back feels better soon--it is nice to hear you have so much help and support!
Ah, good to hear that someone else is like that...dirty laundry accumulating, a huge pile in the corner, unsightly, but part of our life!
I guess we are all in the same boat. I did 3 loads of laundry just today! I need a break! :-) Hope youare feeling better.
Kelleylynn,
This post is fascinating to me as I am right now coming to terms with the opposite realization - that it is past time I became more self-sufficient (youngest child syndrome). Isn't it amazing how custom designed are our lessons from God?
Your blog looks lovely, by the way!!
FYI, I have absolutely loved hearing some of those Amy Grant tunes! I remember listening to them as singles on the small record player my sister and I had, and belting them out at the top of my lungs while I played a game, or 'made' a tape!
I have been in that situation before, too, more then once I have been stuck on the floor and had to let those, willing to help, in. Although, I still wish I had a laundry chute and we were so close to putting one in when the remolded the parish house and made a first floor laundry room...it never did happen, would have been so helpful.
I loved your post. I hope by now you are feeling better.
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