Thursday, January 24, 2008

Friction Rubbing

Purge me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Stuffing the dark load into the washer I begin to fold the clean whites. Water flows in, suds appear and the cycle begins; back and forth--stop--back and forth--stop.

An old hymn begins humming in my brain. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow now wash me and I will be whiter than snow. How do I become whiter than snow? It’s the back and forth, rubbing together, friction, that produces my clean clothes. That same action is probably going to make me whiter than snow as well. The rubbing friction of disappointments and struggles that, in part, make up my life; it’s these events that will wash away my dirt and grime.

The washing process is uncomfortable. I don’t like the friction. My load of dirty clothes is clean within the hour. But my life continues to be rubbed with adversity and discouragement. Will the whiter than snow result, be worth the painful rubbing?

Gathering up my clean clothes I find, while showing signs of wear, they are clean–made brighter for the rubbing. Perhaps these life rubbing experiences will make a difference after all.

Jesus, help me.
I don’t like the agitation
and rubbing that is going on in my life!
It’s too rough, too hard and too long.
Please give me a glimpse
of what I will be in the end.
I long to be purer, whiter,
cleaner but I need
your strength to endure the washing.
AMEN

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