CLEAN AFTER EACH USE

What in the wide world of sports are you talking about, Larry? Well, I’m working on it, RTG family. This is a simple instruction on the lint trap filter for our clothes dryer, and I’m pretty sure it’s on every dryer made. Basically, the manufacturer wants us to clean this filter before we dry a load of laundry. This will allow the air to flow freely and let the machine dry our clothes efficiently and safely.

This seems easy enough, but in my house, this simple process of drying our clothes has led me right here, right now, to write about it. You see, our laundry is in the basement, where I spend most of my time when I’m home. It is my Sanctu-Larry, my place to rest, recover, relax, and write. Inherent with this comes family laundry that gets washed and then forgotten occasionally. Sometimes it has trouble making its way from the washer to the dryer in a timely fashion. So, as the primary resident down here, I am in the honored position to help complete the cycle. And yes, there have been and will be times when I get annoyed because my family is human, and they forget they washed a load that needs to be dried and then moved back upstairs. But, as I say about many things in a day, “If that’s the worst part of my day, it’s a pretty great day.” This is because of the Lord’s infinite grace and favor he grants me over and over again. And as we all know from 2 Corinthians 12, Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Wow! How comforting is that? Now, back to that simple instruction on the lint filter: why does it say clean after each use? It doesn’t say before each use. I will leave you with that thought to do with what you like, but I’m going to pay attention to the after-each-use part. If everyone cleans the filter after, it will be ready for the next person to use the dryer, like pushing the shopping cart into the proper place after loading my car with groceries. It’s a simple act of kindness and care.

So, let’s focus on joy, and all will be good; J.O.Y. Jesus, Others, and Yourself.

At the time of this post, I will really need to stay focused on J.O.Y. as I am on a “Footsteps of Paul” trip with sixty-seven other church members. I hope to share this journey in the faith article for either May or June. Until next time, let’s stay focused on the Lord and let Him lead.

Much love and be blessable,

Larry