Broken

We broke down last week and bought a new washer and dryer.  You must know that I have a great deal of respect for the household items around here that assist me in cleaning.  My vacuum…Oh, it is such a hard worker!  My Swifter…I feel so sorry for it!  My washer and dryer…If they only knew what they were signing up for, they would have never chosen to live here at the Monico house.  It is a tough gig.

My washer and dryer help me with three to four loads of laundry a day.  I do not dare boast about my floors or my bathrooms, but I can brag about my laundry.  When a Monico takes off an article of clothing, they know that the next day it will be back in their room fresh, clean, and ready to wear. 

My old washer and dryer were really worn out.  I did not truly know how bad they were until I used my new ones.  The washer was barely spinning. I should have known something was wrong when the spin cycle woke us all up. It often sounded like a freight train.  The dryer never dried with only one cycle. It always took two or three.  I thought I was just overloading them; however, it was really that they needed to retire.

My new washer and dryer are so efficient that I am totally amazed!  Laundry is fun!  Laundry is quick and easy!  How did I ever settle for less?  Why did I live for a few months with a washer and dryer that were totally not up to par?

Honestly, I settle for less all of the time.   A local businessman shared something last week with a friend that stuck with me.  She told him that she had to go see her Mom at the nursing home and he said “No, you don’t have to go and see her, but you get to go see her.”

I sometimes think and even say that I have to go to the ballfield or that I have to do the dishes.  That is really a lie.  I am settling for less, settling for a lie.  I do not have to do anything at all, but I get to do these things. I am alive, well, and able to pack the car for another game or wash another dirty plate.  It is a blessing that my house is full of kids and that my hubby cooks for us.  I get to do these things!   Dishes are good, laundry is good, and life is a gift! 

A ten year clear check-up at Baylor Dallas this week reminded me of this again.  We should not take our health or our lives for granted.  I met a lady while at Baylor with breast cancer who was struggling and glad to be alive.  On the contrary, I left there well with a clean bill of health and no need to return again.  Others are not that blessed.

James 4:14 says “You do not know what will happen tomorrow!  Your life is like a mist.  You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away.” 

I strongly suggest we live life today to the fullest, that we love the LORD with all of our heart, soul, mind, and that we fully understand that today is a gift! We do not HAVE to do anything at all, but we GET to do it.