THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and more.
A QUARTERLY COLLECTIBLE | Heart & Home Inspiration
THE JOYFUL LIFE
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • HEART
      • Faith
      • Bible Study & Theology
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
        • Motherhood (ALL)
        • Parenting Toddlers to Tweens
        • Parenting Teens
        • Parenting Adult Children
        • Raising Boys
        • Raising Girls
      • Divorce | Single Motherhood | Blended Families
      • Adoption & Foster Care
      • Infertility & Miscarriage
      • Friendship & Community
    • HOME
      • DIY Projects
      • Family & Home Management
      • Fun for Kids
      • Homemaking
      • Homeschool
      • Hospitality
      • Recipes
    • LIFE ISSUES
      • Anxiety
      • Difficult Family Dynamics
      • Emotions
      • Health
      • Identity & Purpose
      • Loss | Suffering | Grief
      • Work & Life Balance
    • REVIEWS
      • App Reviews
      • Book Reviews
      • Product Reviews
    • FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
  • Daily Devotions
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Management & Staff
      • Editorial Team
      • Blog Contributors
      • Devotion Writers
      • Photographers
    • Statement of Faith
  • Work with Us
    • Write for Us
    • Advertise
    • Employment
  • Contact
  • account
0

Getting Too Comfortable—Lessons from Unloading Dirty Dishes

  • Marnie Hammar
  • February 17, 2022
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

My middle son empties the dishwasher every day. He’s done it long enough now that he doesn’t question when I remind him. So, when I asked him one day to also load it, it was because I made the assumption that, in his unloading efforts, he may have noticed where each category of dish, cup, and utensil fits best in our dishwasher.

At my request, though, he looks overwhelmed. Angry. Confused. This task is not his. Why would I ask him to do this today or ever?

As he moves cups from sink to dishwasher, he has dishwasher amnesia. He has no idea how to turn anything to fit. His swift expertise in unloading does not translate to knowing where to place anything in that very same dishwasher.

I stand by, calmly directing, refusing to get sucked into his anger, as he bangs cups and mugs and bowls into place. He is mad. He doesn’t actually want to know how.

Wait.

As my son slams forks and spoons into their tidy columns, I see something familiar. I see a stubbornness and lack of humility that I know. My son’s shoving and seething brings forth a picture of what my own selfishness and self-inflated attitude must look like to my Father.

How often have I thrown a fit when He asked me to step away from stacking squeaky clean mugs and plates? How often have I balked at plunging my hands into the grease and gunk?

I don’t want to scrape and scrub. I don’t want to touch and hold and line up the dirty. I just want to keep doing what I’m already doing—because am I not doing this for Him already?

Lord, thank You for this hard-to-watch glimpse of my shortsightedness. Forgive me for being too comfortable where I’ve decided I’m supposed to be. Forgive me for fearing the places that You want to take me and the things that You want to teach me. And forgive me for forgetting that as You lead me to new places, You are good.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” — Corrie Ten Boom

0
0
0
0
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Marnie Hammar

Marnie Hammar writes to encourage women that freedom isn’t found in perfectly completed checklists, but in knowing God deeper and hearing Him louder. You can find her most often on the soccer sidelines cheering with her hubby of 28 years for their boys (17, 14, & 11). Marnie hangs out on Instagram, on Facebook, and at her website, where you can subscribe to receive a free resource, A Listening Guide and Prayer Map, to help you capture your prayer time as you listen for His voice.

1 comment
  1. Lori Ann Wood says:
    February 17, 2022 at 11:10 am

    Perfect illustration. And yes, convicting. Funny how our children highlight the parts of us that need attention. Thanks for your wisdom!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

VISIT OUR SHOP
  • Issue 09 | BELIEVE — Digital Version $14.00
  • Footsteps of Faith Digital Study Guide | The Joyful Life FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH | Digital Bible Study $12.00
  • Issue 17 | REJOICE — Digital Version $14.00
Follow Us on Instagram
The Joyful Life News
Sign up to receive Joyful Life Community news, weekly blog post updates, shop announcements, and exclusive offers for our subscribers.

AMAZON AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLAIMER | The Joyful Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Every purchase you make through our Amazon affiliate links supports our ministry at no additional cost to you.

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • ADVERTISE
  • Terms
  • ACCOUNT
  • Contact
© 2022 The Joyful Life Co., LLC
Site Design by Maize Agency

Input your search keywords and press Enter.