Cultivating Joy
Sunday, January 24, 2010
9:53 AM
So often the attention that God has blessed us with runs amuck. We look at the areas of our lives that are not working and see all of the suffering pain the insults and our frailties with such clarity. We do this all while the areas that are joyous and peaceful and beautiful are left as after thoughts. I do this, anyway. Maybe when you have children you can sit back and enjoy the beauty that has entered your life even if it is only for a brief moment.
What does a joyous life take. Jackie & I were reminiscing about the women in the Laundromat in our childhood neighborhood. There were two in particular that comes to mind even today when ever I pull out a sheet from the dryer. These women looked after us in a rough way but it was so loving and told us off every time we crumpled up the fitted sheets. " Big bosomed and creamy Carmel colored they would suck their teeth and say" I 'mma show you how to do that Don't bring that sheet home to your mama like that!" I used to feel so bad because they said that as if that is only what a good daughter would do & I always felt like such a crappy daughter. How come I did not know how to fold those sheets? But now in looking back God sent those woman to us to show us new ways to show love & to cultivate small expressions of love. If I could go back I would have followed them home to their house & learned even more. That kind of Love is a miracle in the world that we have. We need more of it! Joy takes work! Joy takes attention and care and a focus on what is beautiful in our lives. The other stuff& the fixing of the things that are wrong or difficult just takes technique. trust that when we take action Love will come to our rescue!
2 comments:
That is such a beautiful picture of angels of mercy showing the way. I love it. I wish there were a painting of the laundromat. Pam taught me how to fold sheets like that. I remember saying how did she learn that. Those little details were so beautiful to me. I remember seeing you girls pay such attention to those details and saying that is love. I never understood it when Grandma Ruth was ranting about such things. But, Thank God for the women in the laundromats who teach little girls the rudiments of life. Now I have a book on laundry that gives me goosebumps when I look at it. The joy of serving my family with clean and folded sheets, although it still illudes me. One day, I hope to have a linen closet like cousin Karla, with all of the folds toward the outside and washcloths in every bathroom like Aunt Jackie. Did you see how many wash cloths she has? Do you have that many?
Thank you for that comment Jayne Cause that is how I feel! Like what you said about the artists in your family. I think it is all an expression of a love that makes the world worth living really well in. It takes some energy & effort but that is the what seems to give extra meaning to it all.
Uncle Pat Had a lot of linen like sheets & pillows but not washcloths.
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