In My Shoes

Washing Dishes

&

 T R I A L S

. . . and what they have in common 

I hate Hate HATE  washing dishes. I can't express how MUCH I really dislike it!!!! : ) haha. 

Confession time here - I even have a dishwasher, but my dishes still sit in the sink. YIKES!!! 

You know how many times I have done the dishes ONLY because the smell of the sink is so bad I can't ignore it any more? OH MY...I know that's horrible!!!!

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT...
Despite my overwhelming hate for doing dishes I LOVE a clean kitchen!!!

There's just something about a fresh kitchen 

with fresh towels on the hook, bleached counters,

 a sparkling floor,

and a bowl of lemons on the counter.  

The bummer is that to acquire this wonderfully, fresh, clean kitchen
I MUST FIRST CLEAN IT (haha, real no-brainer there huh?) 

Cleaning isn't fun, but the acquired result in the end IS WORTH IT!!!!! 

So, it's time to clean...

I turn on a fun movie,

or peppy music, 

I sing or whistle *insert Snow White singing "Whistle While You Work" : ) 

I CHOOSE to create a joyous atmosphere 

and it really helps the not so fun tasks

 to be better.

I think trials are the same way. 

We must endure the NOT so fun stretching of our faith, learning new things, and experiencing uncomfortable situations in order to have the clean & pure outcome that the Lord wants for us. To be the vessel of honor God wants us to be we must FIRST endure tasks we don't find enjoyable.

So it's time for a trial...
You need to praise the Lord,

Quote Scripture,

Listen to good music,
Sing (whistle while you work through the trial)

CHOOSE to joy in the Lord 

and it will help make the not so fun trial 

to be better.

*trust me, I know...I've done it many times and it works : )

The joy of the Lord gives us strength and we need strength to make it through (Nehemiah 8:10)
So joy in the Lord!!!

I love this quote I read somewhere... "Problems are like washing machines. They twist us, spin us and knock us around but in the end we come out cleaner, brighter and better than before."~ Source Unknown. 

AMEN TO THAT!!!!

To have the required joy and fulfilment, we must first clean the kitchen before it's beautiful...
the work and yuk must come before the joy of our accomplishment.

To have the required joy and fulfillment in our Christian life, we must first endure trials...
the hardships and struggles must come first before the joy of victory.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" 

Philippians 4:13

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If you are facing a trial and would like help and encouragement, please email me, message me on facebook, or get my number & call me. I'd love to counsel with you, pray with you, & encourage you. DON'T GIVE UP!  YOU CAN MAKE IT!!!!







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