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Ironing is just not my thing!  And regular trips to the cleaners have never really been in my budget.  So what do I do?

For many years, I have only purchased items that bear the tag “wrinkle resistant.”  Unfortunately, as our children grew and began to buy gifts for their dad, shirts without that coveted tag began to appear.  Then, of course, began the mental wrestling match – do I keep it or do I give it away?

Before you begin to judge me too harshly, I will admit that I made the choice that will make you proud of me.  I pulled out the iron we got as a wedding gift, swallowed hard and determined to put it to use.  Unfortunately for me, those always seemed to be John’s favorite shirts which meant they often showed up in the laundry.

If you’ve ever purchased one of those shirts, you soon realized that they are not “wrinkle proof!”  Nope – you keep one packed in a suitcase long enough – or crumpled on the floor of the closet – it will wrinkle.  The good thing is, after removing it from those negative environments the wrinkles do press out more easily.  But a little work is definitely required.

Actually, it kind of reminds me of my life.  Psalm 62:1-2 assures us that those who trust the Lord will be unshakable.  In other words – wrinkle resistant.

There are definitely times in my life when I am not “wrinkle proof” or “unshakable.” Put me under enough pressure for a period of time or throw me under the bus and I will come out pretty messed up.   My emotions rise to the surface and my patience flies out the window. (John tries to stay out of my way on those days.)

But, just as with the shirt, in time the wrinkles begin to soften.  I may need to pull out the iron – that is – spend some quiet time with the Lord; dwell in His Word; or perhaps, even take a nap; and in time my wrinkle resistance comes back.

I don’t need to give up on the shirt or throw it away; I just need to give it some time and a little TLC.  Likewise, I need to be patient with myself and realize that I am a work in progress.  I need to give myself a little TLC. 

God did not create me to be wrinkle proof.  If He did, why would I need Him?  He just created me to be “wrinkle resistant” – “unshakable.” And then He has provided me with lots of tools in His Word and an abundance of His grace to help me with the rest of the mess.

Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything – every moment and in every way.  He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.  (2 Corinthians 8) TPT

Nita Kuehn