Monday, May 20, 2013

"Work of Our Hands" ~ A Homemaker's Wash Day

The Clothes Basket by Helen Allingham

She walks carefully from the back door with the basket of damp clothing in tow. She looks forward to these moments of reflection.

She will skillfully attach the family garments to the clothesline. She will set each pin in place with satisfaction. 

She takes a deep breathe and inhales the clean wash as it swishes in the spring breeze. Birds are chirping melodies, serenading her. The sun shines upon her skin, embracing her with its warmth.

These are her minutes to soak in the beauty of the morning. These are her minutes to ponder and prepare.

Most importantly, these are her moments to commune with her Creator, sharing everything that is in her heart...

When she does her duties in this thoughtful way, she is more sensitive to the blessings that abound each day.

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us:
and establish thou the work of our hands upon us;
yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
~ Psalm 90:17

"Give her of the fruit of her hands…"
~ Proverbs 31:31a


Proverbial Homemaker Series:

23 comments:

  1. I LOVE it, thanks for this. I do feel this way when I hang my laundry to dry.

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    1. A kindred spirit... thanks for sharing ;)

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  2. We just put up washlines at our new house over the weekend and I dried my first few loads outside. It was lovely. Hanging laundry really does lend itself to contemplation.

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    1. I agree! It's been two years for me and I have learned to love the time spent there at the line...

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  3. Beautiful post, Jes. I so enjoy hanging laundry up on the line outside. There is something very relaxing about it. My mind often thinks upon much while hanging and folding the laundry :)

    Have a beautiful week! Hugs!

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    1. I agree, it is very therapeutic (physically and mentally and spiritually)...

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  4. I feel such gratitude for stumbling upon your blog. I think it happened somehow through the farm hop, layers and layers. Anyway, I am one who is older, once a very organized homekeeper...who strayed to become the worst. I am endeavoring to turn that around and once again make my home a place of rest and recovery, contentment and tranquility. Thank you for the guidance. It will take me a lot of time to yet go through your archives but I don't intend to even overlook one of them. Your printables are so helpful and beautiful, spurring on my determination toward home organization. I love your soulful posts with the beautiful images. Actually, your entire blog fills me with encouragement and, yes, peace. You are a generous and thoughtful, intelligent and talented blog owner. Again, thank you.

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    1. Vicki, thank you for sharing... we all have our struggles and rough seasons but thankfully your heart is turned toward home again. With God's help, you will rebuild and be such a blessing to your loved ones! :) Happy homemaking!

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    2. I have to agree with Vicki's post. Your blog has also inspired me. Although I have been completing a number of tasks already, there is still much to be desired. Over the last few years I have learned so much; but then I reconnected with God after such a long time. After the reconnection, I too, stumbled upon your blog. Each time I read it (and sometimes more than once), I feel an enlightenment that inspires me. I love how with each post there is either a quote, or a verse from the bible and that to me is VERY uplifting. Please continue your blogging journey; you are doing so much for others.
      Thank you

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    3. Thank you for your encouraging words! We are all in this journey together and each word/deed of kindness, lightens the load and inspires us to continue on... I am glad you are "reconnected" and may you continue to grow in His image. Happy homemaking :)

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  5. I love hanging the clothes on the line. It does seem to make us more thankful for our blessings.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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    1. I agree :) Thanks for sharing here today Amy Jo!

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  6. Beautiful, simply beautiful! Hoping you are well and the tornadoes didn't affect your homestead.

    ~Katie
    www.simplefoody.org

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    1. Thank you Katie, we are fine!! How thoughtful!

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    2. Wonderful! It's been 'quite' on your online home so I wanted to make sure all is well.

      ~Katie
      www.simplefoody.org

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    3. Ah… thanks! Lots of family activities planned this summer :)

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  7. This is so beautiful and very true. I love your blog it has been such a blessing thank you.

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  8. I love my wash day time...it is the time I spend a few minutes reflecting on the beauty around me and a time I spend with the Lord thanking him for all my blessings. The satisfaction I get from hanging clothes goes way beyond the actual job itself!

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    1. I completely agree :) Thank you for sharing Tracy!

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  9. Monday is my wash day, and I love hanging the clothes out to dry and visiting blogs between loads. ;)
    Have a great Monday!

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  10. November 2023, 70 years old, and I have just found your blog. It is beautiful and resonates deeply with my spirit. I live off grid since 2017 and all my laundry is done by hand, so the washing is where it begins for me, with the touching.

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