Laundry Day

Back in pioneer days Monday was always laundry day and Tuesday was ironing day.  Now it seems everyday is laundry day. Our laundry rooms are equipped with a dryer so we can toss in a load without considering if the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. This morning I started the week with mounds of dirty clothes from the long weekend. What a meaningless task laundry is! I'll spend all day washing, drying, sorting, folding, and putting away, and maybe even ironing some, then turn around and do the same thing tomorrow.

The Lord sent me to Ecclesiastes 1 today to discover some of Solomon's wisdom. It is a perfect fit (of course) for my day. Solomon, a wise and wealthy king, is found grumbling about the emptiness of worldly tasks and treasures. Instead, Solomon discovered that the only meaningful activities are those that are done with pursuit of God. Everything we say, think and do needs to be done with God in mind.

It didn't take much convincing for Solomon to get the message through to me; laundry done for laundry's sake is worthless and meaningless. But, laundry done for God's sake is rewarding and meaningful. No, God isn't going to wear the clean T-shirts and jeans but John will and though he probably won't say anything, he will appreciate wearing fresh smelling clothes.

Solomon asks the same questions we ask as he evaluates his purpose and direction for life. Am I fulfilling God's will for my life? What is my purpose? Why does my life seem to feel so frivolous? What good am I? For two chapters Solomon debates the uselessness of everything until he finally shares his observations in the familiar verses of Ecclesiastes 3.

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV). Solomon concludes that when we can find satisfaction in all our work -- this is the gift of God.
"So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot (Ecclesiastes 3:22 NIV).

As you go about your routine chores today, may God remind you that your life is a gift and all that you do can be a gift to God - if you just remember Him as you do it -- even laundry.