In the days of our youth, we were assigned daily chores. During that era, it was rare that anyone in our neighborhood had a dishwashing machine, and certainly there were no maids. The oldest children were “the maids” and they were made to do various household tasks, actually made by the father who made up the rotation schedule. To supplement the schedule, he made sure to make mention of who’s turn it was to do dishes on any given day. Dirty dishes, pots, and pans were put in the sink until after evening dinner. With six people in the family, a lot of dirty dishes could fill the sink from sunrise to sunset. Trust me! I know from experience.
It did not matter if you had basketball practice, track practice, a ball game, a track meet, cross country, or if you just were just goofing around pretending to be studying at the library with “a friend.” There was no relief or release because of a good, justifiable excuse. Listen! No matter when you got home, if it was your turn. You would find the dishes stacked up in the sink. The plates, pans, and plastic drinking vessels seemed to be smiling. Not so for the “made” dishwasher. No ma’am, no sir! The child assigned to do the dishes had no smiles and he could not hide what he was thinking. His body language spoke volumes. It was easy to see that he was grumbling, maybe not out loud, but it was evident by his stance, his facial expressions, and the force at which he put the washed and rinsed dishes in the drying rack. There was a lot of complaining going on the child’s mind. Trust me! I know from experience.
On more than one occasion the dishwasher would home late, due to a school event. How late? Well, it was when the moon had taken over the duty from the sun to provide light. As the dishwasher approached the front door, he hoped that the dishes would be done. To his disappointment, the dishes were still in the sink. Trust me! I know from experience.
I made a suggestion to the father, ignoring the standard in our home that authority in the house was not to be questioned. So, taking a bold chance he stated, “If everyone would do their own dishes it would make life easier.” The response from the father, “When it is your turn, it’s your turn.” That was the end of the conversation. I knew better than to open my mouth and debate with father. Dishwashing! Keep reading! I am going somewhere with this meditation.
You see, the child’s suggestion regarding dishwashing is fitting for discipleship today and in the future, all the way until Jesus comes back. If everyone just pitches in and does some of the work, not leaving it to one person or those in the concentric circle called the “faithful few,” kingdom work would not sit undone. Kingdom work would not have to be scheduled at all. My friend, the child’s suggestion applies to all believers, including you. We don’t need a schedule to be His witnesses. We don’t need a posted rotation to remind us that we have been regulated to do the Lord’s work. No! We must all do the Lord’s work while it is yet day. Nighttime is coming, when no one can work. Apply the dishwasher discipleship lesson of the child, “If everyone would do their work, it would make life easier.” In addition to the personal benefit that will help minimize burnout, more people will experience life: abundant life and eternal life.
I’m done, but what I am about to write applies to all of us: “It’s your turn today to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It’s your turn to love one another. Do your work.” Perhaps this will help. When you are about to sit a dirty cup, container, or ceramic plate in the sink and leave it there, stop and think about dishwasher discipleship. Read the following to see how everyone pitching in, continuously not occasionally, works. Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.” (Acts 2:43-47 The Message Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King