Getting Out the Wrinkles
I like to iron – always have. When I was little, I liked to sit and watch my mother do the ironing. There was something so soothing about watching the hot iron pass over a wrinkled piece of clothing making it smooth and neat. I begged her to let me help, and often she would let me iron some of the flat pieces. By the time I was a teenager, I was doing most of the ironing for our family. I can remember standing in front of the ironing board in our downstairs room with the record player turned up loud singing to the music from “West Side Story” or “South Pacific”. I guess I was a bit of an oddity.
I get that same sense of peace and accomplishment these days when I iron. My Mom says she likes to use that time to pray for the family. I still like to have a musical accompaniment. Sometimes it’s the classical radio station; other times it is a Praise and Worship CD. I find it so relaxing. I also find an analogy to my life as a child of God.
I think of my life as an article of clothing in need of ironing. Sometimes there are just a few little wrinkles and creases, but at other times it is a wrinkled mess. In either case some “ironing” is required. I must adjust the iron to the right temperature for each situation. Sometimes it even takes more pressure along with the heat to get the job done right. It must make the clothing just a bit uncomfortable!
I imagine the Lord looking deeply into my heart, seeing the need in my life and adjusting the “iron” accordingly. He knows just how much heat is necessary and whether or not it requires some added pressure. Just as the wrinkled article of clothing isn’t happy about being made smooth by the heat and pressure of the iron, so it is with me. I would much prefer an easier method of correction. The Lord knows, however, just what He needs to do to make me into the image of His Son.
Just as I regulate the heat and pressure of the iron so that I don’t burn or destroy the article of clothing I’m ironing, so the Father carefully works in my life. He only does what will be for my ultimate good. He applies just the right amount of heat and pressure to do the necessary work. It may be very unpleasant for a moment, but the end result is beautiful.
Of course, as the ironer, I know that I haven’t really finished with that clothing. In a fairly short amount of time I will find it creased and wrinkled and in need, again, of some straightening out. I don’t mind. That’s the way of ironing. The work is never really done. So it is with my life. The Lord gets one area taken care of and before long it is time to work on something else. It sometimes causes me to feel guilty and ashamed, but the Lord is so patient and kind. He knows my weaknesses and loves me in spite of them. He loves me too much, however, to leave me in such a state. Whether He has to “iron” the same old places or begin on a new area He is willing to do the necessary work. He has something very special in mind.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NAS)
Next time the Lord is ironing some areas out in my life, I will remember this. You are right, sometimes it hurts to see that we still need some ironing done by Him, but the end result is such a blessing.
Thank you so much for sharing, Linda. I needed that this morning.
Be blessed today and always.
I’ll look at ironing a little differently now 🙂 Thanks for the word picture you have given that will stick in my head better of the Lord ironing out my wrinkles! Blessings.
Hello dear Linda:-) I always enjoy your analogies and this one is no different…I was just ironting shirts for the wedding on Saturday and reminiscing how much I use to love watching my mom iron!! You’ve now made me think about how the Lord irons out our own wrinkles…thank you!! Much love xoxo
Bless you for sharing this.
Linda,
Boy is this true….The Lord gets one area taken care of and before long it is time to work on something else…
Amen.