Life as a Christian mom can be discouraging. When you are working hard to pursue holiness and God’s righteousness everyday, it’s easy to feel like nothing is happening. But thank God that He has given us hope in repentance. He has invited us to draw near to Him by repenting our sin and renewing our relationship with Him. Now, what does this have to do with washing dishes? Let me explain.
Washing Dishes and Repentance
Washing dishes really is one of my favorite chores. Getting all the dishes in the sink, using soap that smells nice, and running the garbage disposal are all part of the fun process. I own a dishwasher, but I don’t use it much at all. I prefer to take 15-20 minutes and just wash a sink load of dishes. I know it’s weird, but that’s just me.
I don’t blame you if you think it’s strange, but a few months ago, God changed my love of washing dishes into a time of reflection and remembering.
Remembering
One day while washing, I was overwhelmed with this thought: just as I have washed dishes, God has washed me. Just as I redeem a dirty dish for future use by washing it, God has redeemed me for His future use by washing me. His precious Son died so that I could be redeemed and made new (1 Peter 3:18).
I was so thankful in that moment to be reminded of God’s love for me in salvation! Now, every time I wash the dishes, I am reminded that I’m God’s child because He has washed me. I’m redeemed to new life in Christ and He can now use me for His glory.
Psalm 32
I felt just like David did in Psalm 32, “How blessed is he [she] whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed in the man [woman] to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!”
Being forgiven of our sin is such a blessing. An incomparable gift.
And David goes on in verse 5, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; And You forgave the guilt of my sin.”
God forgives our sin when we confess to Him.
Repenting
And, the most beautiful part? God does this over and over again just like I wash the same dishes everyday.
When I repent of my sin, He forgives and washes me clean. He is faithful to forgive every time I fail Him (1 John 1:9).
And that brings great hope! Not hope because you don’t have to worry about sinning, we should strive to be holy (1 Peter 1:16).
But hope that we can be renewed each time that we fail. God restores His relationship with us when we come to Him in repentance of our sin. He makes us clean again.
Remembering and Repenting
So, those 15-20 minute spurts of washing dishes have become soul washings for me throughout the day. My sins are confessed and forgiven, my thoughts are refocused, my heart is undivided, and I am able to glorify God afterward.
As a mom, I’ve found that many chores become mundane quickly. But, I am so thankful that this one will always be a reminder for me of God’s grace in salvation and that repentance brings hope to my life.
He has used a mundane, everyday task for His glory in my heart and mind. What a mighty God we serve!
I liked washing dishes anyway, but now I will do it with more joy knowing the eternal purpose it has served in my walk with the Lord.
How do you focus on the Lord throughout your day? Let me know in the comments below!
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