“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV)

I don’t believe in luck, but if I did I would say I have had a string of the bad kind lately. Last week my washing machine broke. It just wouldn’t wash. I hadn’t had it that long either. Like anyone these days I tried to figure out if I could fix it online but soon realized the repairs would cost more than a new machine would. Then this week my daughter’s washing machine broke. It was an older, simpler model so once again I tried to fix it myself and even called my friend who was good at household repairs to take a look at it. Once again, however, it was broken beyond any easy repair. I ended up having to order two, new washing machines putting a couple of big dents in my credit cards. Both got delivered quickly but I still griped to God about the rough patch I was going through.

As soon as I did my memory traveled back in time to when I was a child. I saw my Nana hand loading an old fashioned wringer washing machine with my dirt caked jeans and muddy shirts. It didn’t have a spin cycle so Nana had to put each item through a pair of rolling pin sized wringers to squeeze out the water. Once I had foolishly tried to help and caught my fingers in them. That was a pain I remember to this day.

When the washing was done Nana would often pat the machine affectionately before she took the clothes outside to hang on the clothes lines to dry. She had grown up hand washing clothes and was grateful for the machine that did so much of the work for her.

Remembering this helped me to realize that once again I was looking at things the wrong way. God has blessed me with so much more than my Nana, Mom, and Dad had. I was getting caught up in the problems and inconveniences of modern life instead of thanking God for all I have and all I am. I apologized to God then and thanked Him for that beautiful memory.

The good old days had their share of struggles and joys. And the good new days have their share of struggles and joys. What matters is how we live them. What matters is what we learn from them. What matters is that we LOVE through the struggles as well as the joys. May all your days be full of Love then no matter how dirty your clothes get.

Joseph J. Mazzell