Blessings From Home

Finding Simplicity in doing dishes

Okay, I have a confession to make. I HATE washing the dishes! It is the least favorite of all my chores, and I really don't mind my other duties that much, but for some reason I have never been able to find peace or happiness in washing the dishes. I've tried, oh, how I've tried.

It all goes back to childhood, I guess. The dishes were my job as soon as I could reach the sink. We never had a dishwasher until I was about to move out of the home. My mom would inspect the dishes each time I did them, and if she found one speck left unclean, I had to wash all of them all over again. This made me learn to wash the dishes very well, but at the same time despise the job.

So as soon as I moved out and got married, well, at first we ate off disposable everything, and if any dishes were dirtied, they sat in the sink sometimes for days. (I know, I'm so ashamed) After we bought our first house, a gift from my husband was a dishwasher, and I've had one almost ever since. After we filed bankruptcy and had to move into a rental, I even talked my husband into buying me a portable dishwasher, which is what I still have.

Now here's the problem, my kitchen is kind of small and shaped awkward so that there is not room for the dishwasher, so I'm not able to use it, but I found out that Maytag sold a conversion kit to make the portable into a regular dishwasher, and I even already have a hole cut for it . I ordered the conversion kit over 3 months ago, and they have decided that they don't want to make this part any more, and I am getting my money back and now have a dishwasher being used as a clutter catch all sitting in my living room. The last few months I have wavered between using disposables and having a sink full of dishes all the time.

So I am learning to find simplicity in washing dishes, maybe even some peace and happiness. I sat there today with my hands in the hot and soapy water and the breeze blowing in from the window above my sink, and the sudden quietness, (my children were locked playing in their rooms quietly, for once) and I felt such peace as I washed those dishes, so much so, that I actually looked forward to washing them after lunch and dinner. (Crazy, huh?!) I suddenly realized that washing the dishes gave me a sort of mental break. I didn't really have to think about what I was doing. What a blessing this has been.

sara

Dishes

{ 08:49, Friday, October 10, 2008 } { Posted by DEANMAMA5 }

Hi Sara,

Dishes aren't my favorite thing to do either. However, the mental break you mentioned I relate to, and it became a sort of meeting place between me and the Lord. This is when I try to pray and really try to listen to what He is saying to me. It doesn't happen all the time. I have five children now, but over a year ago, I asked the Lord what He wanted of me, and His response was "to have another baby". I said "have another baby! Now what on earth am I going to name this one?!" (Picture my wet hands on my hips having this conversation) His response "Bethany", I said "that's a pretty name, what goes with Bethany?" His response "Joy". I knew I was having a baby, before I even conceived her! I was so blessed to have this information right from Him at the kitchen sink! This will forever be in my memory!
My Bethany Joy is baby number five and now 14 months old:o) What a joy she is!
Happy dishwashing, and maybe some precious moments with our Lord at the kitchen sink:o)
God bless you, and the new life you will be bringing into the world soon.

Angela

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{ 11:04, Friday, October 10, 2008 } { Posted by gabbie427 }

I love this post!!!! I too HATE to do dishes (and mopping, but most of the rest of the house hold things I don't mind so much). Hubby and I actually used to fight over who would do the dishes! LOL And standing for long lengths of time hurts my back, so when we had the money, we invested in a portable dishwasher. It was a good investment for us. I can't say whether handing washing or using the dishwasher uses up more energy. But I can tell you for the time and fights is saves in this family, not to mention the strain it keeps from putting on my back, it was worth it for us to buy one!!! LOL

You can still buy those conversion kits at Lowes and Home Depot the last time we looked. Just in case you change your mind on this.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

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{ 10:23, Saturday, October 11, 2008 } { Posted by chimicole }

Aww.... bless your heart. You sound like I did long ago! Hang in there.. it'll come!