A Pile of Laundry and Worry

I was down on my knees folding socks and underwear and a mound of old dishrags with frayed edges.

And I was praying.

Because laundry is a simple, quiet activity that leaves room for a woman to bend her knees in the holy sanctuary of God’s presence.

I started with anxious words about future events. How is this all going to turn out, Lord? It seemed there was an unknown to pray about for every clean washrag –the most unlikely prayer beads.

Then the Spirit sat down on the floor beside me and reminded me of two truths I had stored up in my heart:

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:4 NIV)

“…God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

God acts.

God works.

I wait.

I should have been bored maybe, as I paired clean socks together and stacked them up, but instead a warm joy filled me. Anxiety turned to thankfulness.

Why in the world does God work for my good? Amazing! 

Jeff Goins just published a book I want to read, entitled The In-Between. He encourages us that perhaps God’s most important work is happening while we’re waiting for the next big thing to come along.

For me the uncertainty of coming events led to prayer, which led to praise for the God who is always at work on my behalf. And then I was thankful for the uncertainty, because it made me needy.

We want to hurry, hurry through the waiting, but let’s not. If we try to get to what’s ahead too quickly, we might miss the sweetest communion with the living God.

How is God encouraging you while you wait for him?