Holy Ironing
I have been doing some ironing today. I know many opt out of ironing nowadays and I admit it does take some persuading for me to make it a priority! The pile gets high and I try to shut my eyes to it every time I go through the utility room. But today I needed to make the effort as I go away on holiday on Monday and needed my clothes to look cared for!
As I ironed one particular pair of crumpled linen trousers, I suddenly found myself identifying with them. They had so many creases it was hard to imagine them being crease free. ‘They’re stupid trousers getting so creased,’ I muttered crossly as I sprayed them with yet more steam. Suddenly a thought dropped into my heart, ‘Do I ever call you stupid for the creases in your life?’
I was shocked! Was this the Lord? What a strange question to ask me!
‘But they are stupid, Lord, I said. ‘Why does the material have to crease so much? They are meant to look smart but they look like a limp rag!’
‘That wasn’t what I asked you.’
He had stumped me, and I knew I couldn’t hide from his question. ‘No Lord,’ I said, ‘You never call me stupid for the creases in my life.’
I expected him to answer with another strong thought, but nothing came. I sensed him very close to me. I looked afresh at my trousers suddenly realising I’d still been diligently ironing while the Lord spoke to me. They were now beginning to look lovely and crisp, enticing me to put them on and enjoy wearing them. They didn’t look stupid at all now.
Tears suddenly came to my eyes as I realised the Lord’s kindness. My creases go so deep: stubborn habit patterns and ways of thinking and acting that I know mar the beauty he has made me to reveal. My trousers can’t think for themselves or get rid of their own creases, they need my love and patient touch to be restored to what they should be. But I can think and act and yet still those creased areas of my life show themselves.
‘Lord you never give up on me!’ I whisper.
‘How could I give up on you?’
‘I feel I fail so often Lord and always in the same things.’
‘But I’ve forgiven you!’
‘But why Lord, when I keep getting creased in exactly the same way?’
‘I love you!’
‘But I keep letting you down Lord.’
‘But child, don’t you know that I’ve already forgiven you, even before you let me down? I see you as beautiful. You are clean and pure like my Son.‘
And with that I suddenly understand that my trousers already have everything within them to make them a lovely, smart piece of clothing. My ironing, using the best heat and great care simply restores what they’ve been made to be. How could I call them stupid when they are beautiful and have just given me such an amazing revelation.
‘Thank you, dear Lord,’ I whisper. ‘Thank you that you’ve made me to reveal your beauty. Thank you that you use exactly the right heat and the greatest care to restore me. Thank you I’m already forgiven and always will be. Thank you for making my job of ironing such an amazing place of encounter. I’ll never call a creased garment stupid again Lord.’
And as I hung up my beautiful, crease free trousers, I felt him smile.
