Sink Full of Dishes

A sink full of dishes

It's been a full day

    since my 4:30 a.m. VIPKid wake-up

        and there are so many things I'd rather do

            than confront and attack

                the pile of dishes in my sink

So, in a measure of

    half-discipline and half-avoidance,

        I send a whiny video message

            while beginning to unload the dishwasher

                complaining about how tired I am

                    and how the kitchen is a mess

                    and how I don't feel like doing the dishes

The reply?

    "Sorry you have a kitchen to clean..."

I knew what she meant

    She was commiserating

                    empathizing

                    agreeing with me

            but it stopped me in my tracks

                and I realized that I had a choice

Am I sorry I have a kitchen to clean?

For me, having a kitchen to clean means...

    I have a home

    I have 6 people in my home, who each ate 3 meals today with snacks in between

    I have a stocked pantry and overflowing fridge and freezer

    I have the luxury of clean water, not just for drinking but for washing dishes

    I have the means to wash dishes with dish soap 

                                                    and with water I didn't haul myself 

                                                and even a dishwasher that does the work for me

    I have the electricity to work after the sun goes down

    I have the technology to listen to music or an audiobook or sermon

    I have these quiet moments to meet with Jesus while my sons are in bed

    I have an opportunity to deny myself and to serve my family

A sink full of dishes can lead to complaint 

                                            or to gratitude

Thank you, God,

    for this sink full of dishes

    and this kitchen to clean

(poem written 12-3-20)

Thankful Thursday

Christ, our God, to Thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise...

42,496. the privilege of having a kitchen to clean up

42,497. hearing to be faithful with what's in front of me

42,498. boys becoming more and more Bible literate

42,499. delicious curry, rice, veggies

42,500. Christmas tree up in VIPKid classroom

42,501. hunger for You

42,502. Colson saying "monkey" and "cracker" and "booger"

42,503. encouraging messages from friends on Facebook

42,504. never knowing the ripples of our influence

42,505. re-reading some of Aidan's blog, where I first learned of 1000 gifts

42,506. the boys loving to play with the nativity set

42,507. impressed with Carter and Calvin's cumulative review so far

42,508. Luke 2 - already an existing song in ESV

42,509. Yoyo such a fun student!

42,510. talking with my Level 6 students like I would to any English speaker

42,511. Mia had a better day than usual

42,512. praying before classes

42,513. Lucas making a library run for me

42,514. Susan Sallee's resolve to look to You in these difficult days

42,515. a book about honor

42,516. finishing the Tree comic novel

42,517. looking up cross-references today in Luke 2

42,518. living room and dining room tidied (for now!)

42,519. Lucas rough-housing with the boys

42,520. time at the piano