Sunday 20 October 2013

A Sheets on the Line Devotional

 
Do you remember in the 1950's when everyone had white sheets?
I sure do. I remember my Mother hanging the sheets on the line. Then she would sprinkle them with water and laboriously stand ironing them all. So much work, but I still fondly remember the wonderful smell and feel of sleeping on those crisp white sheets!
 
One day a local Pastor was making his rounds, visiting his Parishioners. He visited two neighbouring ladies. He was welcomed first into Mrs. A's home, served tea and fresh cookies. It wasn't long until her conversation was directed to the lady next door. She had nothing nice to say about her new neighbour and to support all of her ugliness she directed the Pastor to her back window where she pointed out to him that her new neighbour didn't even know how to do her laundry properly. "Just look how dingy those sheets of hers are," she said.  He couldn't argue with this, because they were in fact pretty dirty looking to him too.
 
However, since Mrs. B was new to the community,  he felt it was his duty to invite her and her family to the Sunday church services, dirty sheets and all.
He was surprised to find the family to be both warm and pleasant. When he ask Mrs. B if she had gotten to know her neighbour yet at all he saw a shadow come across her face. He didn't press this line of conversation and soon stood to leave. As he rose to go he could see clearly out the back window to where the sheets were hanging and was surprised to see that they were spotlessly white! How could that be? He walked right up to the window to look out onto the clothes line and realised that he was able to see there whiteness because he was viewing the sheets through sparkling clean windows.
It wasn't that Mrs. B's sheets were dirty.
It was  Mrs. A's windows that were so dirty.
This simple story makes me think about how often I might look through an already dirty lens at times.
I hope that before I make any strong opinions I will remember Jesus words in:
 
  Matthew 7: 1-2
Judge not, lest you be judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you.
 
It's pretty scary  when you think of getting back the same amount of judgement one meters out to others, for sure.
My prayer for today:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy site Oh Lord, My Strength and My Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
 
 


25 comments:

  1. A great devotional. One we should all be reminded of daily. Thanks for sharing and have a blessed Sunday
    Angela

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  2. Wow! Love this story-really made me think!
    Susan

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  3. AMEN to it all! lots to think about here ~ thanks for posting it! ~

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  4. Thank you..you made me chuckle and re read it. I sure needed to read/hear this today. Blessings

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  5. Funny, I heard this story as a young wife, and it has remained
    as a reminder to me all these many years.
    Maybe it's a bit hokey, but it's the spirit of it that's important.

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  6. A wonderful reminder. I love this story. Thank for sharing it.

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  7. I think we'd all be in better shape if we could remember that!!!

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  8. I've heard that before except in a condensed version. It was nice to hear the entire story. What a great reminder to all of us! TFS!

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  9. Ah, yes, I've heard this story before and it is a very good lesson to us all. Thanks for sharing it. I love hanging sheets on the line in summer. The smell is wonderful. Have a blessed week Kimberly.

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  10. A good story to remember. I hope that I am always kind to others, and leave that legacy for my kids.

    I never, never, ever want to be the reason that someone else feels less than, or bad, or hurt!!

    Here's to kindness, and striving to be Christ-like, each and everyday.

    {{hugs}}
    Kerin

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  11. Kimberly,

    So true, and a beautiful message!
    Enjoy your Sunday.

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  12. This is a good reminder for us all, Kimberly. I hope you have a good week ahead.

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  13. such a beautiful post, ( I only use white sheets), lol

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  14. I love this!! read it to my husband this morning! Way too often, similar acts like this seem to happen. I pray that I will keep myself fed in God's word and that I will not allow judgement of others to be a part of me.
    Blessings...

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  15. This is such a wonderful story.
    Thank you so much for following me on Bloglovin....I am following you right back. :)

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  16. So true sweet friend, thanks for the reminder.



    Hugs!

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  17. Hi! I'm from the Southern part of Ontario. I found you through "Retired and loving it" blog. I just love this story you shared. I love clothes and sheets on the line. The smell lasts for days. I was using my clothesline up until two weeks ago. Nice to find you and started following.
    Blessings, Diane

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  18. Hi! I'm from the Southern part of Ontario. I found you through "Retired and loving it" blog. I just love this story you shared. I love clothes and sheets on the line. The smell lasts for days. I was using my clothesline up until two weeks ago. Nice to find you and started following.
    Blessings, Diane

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All of your comments are read and much appreciated.
You are dear and lovely friends!