It has been 6 months since we packed up our home and started on this adventure. 6 months of living in 400 square feet of temporary housing. 6 months of not knowing when this will end. 6 months of fighting with my teeny tiny kitchen. 6 months since we packed away my washer and dryer. It has been hard for me to choose to pack up all of my stuff and take a 25 year step backwards to a dormitory style of living, which includes the Laundromat.
Laundromats and I do not get along. I am the kind of person who plays by the rules. I attempt to be courteous to others and I am always hoping others will treat me in kind. I think there are rules for behavior when other people’s time is at stake. My #1 Laundromat rule is (because it has happened to me twice) DO NOT STEAL THE DRYERS! Who comes into a Laundromat where all the washers are busy and fills up all of the dryers with no regard to the washing person? 15 years ago was the first time this happened to me and I still talk about it. It is remembered as the “Horrible, Awful, No Good Day.” Then a few months back, it happened again.
Who has this done to them twice in one lifetime??
So, with this enormous chip on my shoulder is there any hope for God to use my laundry time for good? Well, yes…
6 months ago I would have told you that no good can come from laundry day. But I am here to tell you, it has become one of my favorite days of the week. Joshua and I begin our day by going out into the town to the grocery store and the doughnut shop, getting all that we need for the morning and visiting with people all the way. We then head for the laundry room which is right by the mobile home park office.
Almost as soon as we arrive, the gathering begins. I love visiting with the park staff and all the people that are stopping by the office. No two days are alike. The office is in the middle of the park and people stop as they are driving by or walk in for a visit. Often the manager’s family is around. It has turned into a great opportunity to meet people.
Joshua has made friends so he can play while I work. I have had the opportunity to turn casual acquaintances into the beginnings of friendship. Life is about people and relationships. I am learning that if I yield to God He can turn something as dreadful as using a Laundromat into a wonderful blessing where lives can become interwoven. I am trusting Him with the messy bits of my existence and looking forward to what we do next.
Posts from the Trailer Park ~ Catherine
The world is littered with friends... it just takes time to meet them. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that you're sharing your world with us. Miette and I are sure glad we can count both you and Josh as friends. Keep smiling, and counting those small blessings... they add up.