The Best Laundry Helper

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

For years, trying to manage the constant laundry in my house was my least favorite chore. As a family of six, there is something that always needs to be washed, but we all know it’s finishing out the task of folding and putting it all away that’s the hardest to accomplish.

One day I realized that my time doing laundry wasn’t such a miserable chore anymore and I recognized what changed (and it certainly wasn’t the amount of laundry!) My laundry time became my prayer time. I started using that time of folding and putting away clothes as a prime opportunity to talk with the Lord about whatever was going on in my life. Sometimes those prayers are full of praise. Other times, it’s been prayers cried out to God for answers as we waited for medical test results for my husband. I’ve prayed for each of my children as I folded their clothes. I also quiet my own heart to listen to the Lord and he often reminds me of truths from His Word that speak right to my circumstances. (He’s good at doing that!) Prayer became the best laundry helper!

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us to keep rejoicing and praying, giving thanks no matter what we face in life. He clearly supports how important this is, by saying that it’s God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. How often do we ask God what His will is for us? Keep praying!

Prayer is our conversation time with the Lord, and it can happen anywhere, at any time. When do you pray, dear one? How can you incorporate more moments of talking with God throughout your day? It may simply mean being intentional during your commute to work, time in the shower, or during a chore to focus on your Father and have a little chat in your heart with Him…and it may just change your attitude during that task in the process!