When I went down the basement
stairs to take a shower, my nose picked up a strong “fresh” scent. My first
thought was that Cathy must have installed a new Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil
refill in the Family Room. When I looked at the Glade® warmer, I noticed that
it was in fact in need of a new refill. “Where was the smell coming from?” I
wondered to myself.
Actually, I asked the question out loud but I thought
that if I had mentioned it you would have questioned my sanity…
I went into the laundry room next
door and was a bit surprised to discover where this now intoxicating scent was
coming from. The 2¾ gallon container of liquid laundry detergent that is
normally on shelf next to the washing machine was now lying on the bath mat
just outside of the shower; perhaps trying to clean itself up!
My deduction is that at some
point between when Cathy took her shower at five thirty in the morning and when
I was about to take mine at ten o’clock, not only did the large bottle take a
jump off the shelf, but it also proceeded to break off the cap and spilled
approximately 1½ gallons of gooey, sticky laundry detergent on the carpeting.
Makes me wonder what had happened after she left the
room.
I grabbed some old bath
towels and began the process of sopping up the liquid detergent; which included
repeatedly rinsing the soapy towels in a large bucket of clean water as I
kneeled in the liquid goo; spending at least a half hour at this task. I then
threw the towels into the washing machine (without detergent I might add), and
stepped into the shower.
What I hadn’t expected was my
feet slipping as I stepped into the shower; feet that had a film of liquid soap
on them. All my ice skating reflexes from playing hockey kicked in and I was
able to catch myself before I took a dive.
After I took my shower, I went
up to the third floor closet and grabbed a couple of box fans to bring down to
the basement to plug them in to try to dry off the now wet carpet.
Having personally cleaned up
so many different messes that were solids, liquids, and other unmentionables
over the years, I saw this mess as a mere inconvenience to my schedule that was
already way behind.
What helped me with this
perspective is realizing that as bad as I have it, there is always someone who
has it worse. In fact, earlier in the morning, I had read that International Justice
Mission News reported that thirty five (35) enslaved girls (ages 14 to 18 yrs)
were rescued from slavery in a thread-making factory in India.
http://web.ijm.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=28983.0&dlv_id=28223
http://web.ijm.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=28983.0&dlv_id=28223
I really
didn’t have anything to complain about. It really was a matter of perspective. At least the rugs are cleaned and house smells fresh!
In the
Bible, the Apostle Paul writes on this subject of thinking of things that are
good, not focusing on the bad. He wrote to the Church in Philippi:
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
I’m not sure where you are at
when you are reading this, but it is my sincere hope that you will stop and
count your blessings as you too try to clean up a mess in your life. Give it to
God and let Him work things together for good (see Romans 8:28).
When you turn to Him, you will
find His mercy fresh and new waiting for you. Great is His faithfulness; in
that we can place our hope!
Are you ready to get your
mess cleaned up? Have you tried to clean up your life with no success? Are you
tired of trying to do it your way? Call 1-888-NEED –HIM; someone is waiting to
talk with you.
New King James Version
(NKJV) The Holy Bible, New King James Version
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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