A Few Kinks

I hate ironing. Okay, hate is a strong word. I don't enjoy ironing. I don't know anyone who actually enjoys ironing. I have clothes in my closet that don't see the light of day for months at a time because of my lack of enthusiasm toward this chore.

I often wonder if my aversion to ironing is that it is simply such a bother, or that I did several months worth of ironing as a punishment, or rather I should say, a "payment" for a few speeding tickets I acquired my senior year in high school. Man, I remember just slaving away, ironing piece after piece until my debt had finally been payed.

So I iron when I feel that I must. Or I use a little steamer...still feels like ironing to me. Of course, there is the wonderful invention of "wrinkle-free" clothing. I have this jersey-knit dress that I just love. I can sit in the car for an hour and come out looking perfectly smooth. And then, there's linen. Everybody likes linen. It is soft and casual, and it looks great in the store. But you get it home and it's a mess! You try desperately to smooth it all out, but you just create more and more kinks in the process.

It would be nice if life was jersey-knit. May I have just one wrinkle-free day please?

I've come awfully close, but there is always something. An unattainable parking spot, a glob of goup on a favorite shirt. Quite often it just comes down to my attitude. Sometimes, I am the wrinkle in my day. Call it what you want. I've gotten up on the wrong side of the bed? I need an "attitude adjustment"? I've got the grumpers and I just can't seem to shake 'em. I'm creating more and more kinks as the day progresses. Oddly, what seems like a deep crevice today, may be but a mere dimple tomorrow. Life is funny that way.

A few years ago, we were getting together with some dear friends. We arrived at their home and my girlfriend was in kind of a last-minute scramble to pick a new outfit for the evening. You see, she had asked her dear husband to iron the casual pants she'd picked out. Being the wonderful husband that he is, he did an outstanding job...only, he added sharp creases when they had not been required! She and I got a good laugh.

Have you ever had times when you're walking around with a crease that doesn't belong? It seems impossible to smooth it away? Life has wrinkles. Sometimes we're not presentable in our current state. Sometimes we be need to be pressed.

I suppose if life were jersey, it might not be as exciting afterall. Sure, kids would be well-mannered, houses would always be spotless, and there would never, ever be traffic.

But there would be no lessons learned. No growth. No need or quest for faith.

I am so thankful to have a God who smooths out the wrinkles in my life. Who is strong when I am oh so weak. Who is faithful when I am faithless. Who gives hope to hopeless, joy to the sorrowful...

And laughter to the grumpy!