woman vs. washing

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The earth is Holly’s and everything in it” The Bible. My version.

I have just spent an inordinate amount of time being annoyed at my washing line.  Picture the scene:

It is extremely windy today.  I am hanging out socks on one side.  The other three sides are filled already with, amongst other things and including Smelly JellyCat, four pairs of wet jeans.  I have asked the washing line to “Stay still!” and “Come back!” I’ve even hoped that appealing to it will help “Please don’t do that for goodness sake!” And yet the universe continues to defy me.  How annoying.

I’ve also been frustrated with my drying up pile. I stack pots, dishes and plastic containers very beautifully (albeit very precariously) and yet when they tumble onto the surface or floor I take it very, VERY personally. I feel that the strainer, potato peeler, measuring jug so on and so forth, have decided I need more hassle in my life and they want to make the pregnant lady bend over one more time for laughs. I feel that the crockery is being disobedient and it is very VERY annoying.

The toys don’t do so well from this world view either.  The toy car is waiting for its moment…the pushchair I’m sure has deliberately wheeled itself into my path, the building blocks, the books, they are all out to get me….none of them obey me, none of them listen, I am powerless.

Don’t they not know? Have they not heard?  The earth IS MINE and EVERYTHING in it.

As Mr. Tumble would say...Wait…

I’m sure that’s not right.

I’m pretty sure there’s something wrong with how I’m remembering that verse…

Well for one thing it appears I've amalgamated two verses into one:

Psalm 24:1 "the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

    the world, and all who live in it;”

Isaiah 40:21-22 "Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
 God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.”

Hmmm... yes that seems more familiar....no wonder inanimate objects won’t bow down to me. The laws of wind and gravity continue to obey the voice of the one who made them...not me.  I am a grasshopper in view of the entirety of creation. The earth and everything in it belong to God not me.

Yes that sounds correct.

Hello sin.  Once again you have successfully managed to make me believe that I am the most important thing in my life, you have once again convinced me that everyone and every THING should bow down and worship me because I am the Lord, you have blinded me and I have sat on the throne of my life again, I have usurped Jesus yet again as King, Lord and Saviour.  And if I am treating inanimate objects in such a way I can’t be doing very well with people. Let’s see... No wonder the flying cheese sandwich situation and resulting crumbs on a recently mopped floor incurred such wrath upon a reasonably innocent little lady.  No wonder suit bags, hangers and ties strewn on the bedroom floor result in a five minute imaginary argument where I throw every insult I can think of at a very sorry and puppy dog eyed husband.

No wonder.

I must remember “the earth is the Lord’s and everything it in” and it shouldn't be annoying.

I must remember I am a grasshopper. I would laugh if I found a grasshopper trying to boss my washing line around, that is how silly my actions seem to God. That is how silly they now seem to me. It’s a funny picture.

I must remember that God has rescued and redeemed me from my futile sinful ways so that I can use my time more wisely.  Rather than wasting it by being Lord of my life and getting angry with washing and toys I can know and love and serve him; the one who created it all. 

What a better way to spend a day. Here’s an electronic “cheers” with a cup of tea to the rest of the afternoon!