ON MY THIRD visit to our local laundromat back in July, 2022, I was totally excited that my washer was coming!

This is interesting and probably the same for most women; there are places I go to alone that I feel safer than others…  Laundromats, for some reason, is not one of them. But I know:

 

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

As I refuse to give into physical fear and believe God’s Word, I stand. Psalm 91 is a psalm I daily recite (from memory – that’s how important it is!) and I refuse to let the adversary assail my body, soul, and spirit!

Selah.

My first visit to the laundromat was twelve loads worth. I had trouble with the machines and Duane had to come help me. He struggled too! That made me feel better… Why? Because I had read over three times the directions. Most of the trouble was the from machines not taking coins – or – not giving them back! But I had to get it done: Duane and I prevailed.

Selah.

The next time a guy was listening to his radio (whatever) and I hated the music. His right to, so I remained quiet. Another time a man was there and just me near the end of my time; another guy came in and asked us both if we left a dollar’s worth of quarters in the change machine. The first man didn’t hear him, so I called out to him; and as he turned, I saw I knew him! That was fun! And pleasant! So we talked ten minutes before he was finished and left. I always love to see people I know and like…

What I came away from the memory of frequent trips to the laundromat that summer, until my washer came, was a sign I read there. It was stating the company policy which credits the customers alone are solely responsible for their own possessions. Anything stolen is on them… Also, another sign advised customers to inspect the machines before use in order to prevent a possible defilement on their whites or on any of clothing…

I chose not to allow my clothes to become defiled. I also have long ago chosen for myself not to be defiled…

Selah.

Yes, God gave me this wonderful reminder. Yet, He knows I never, never forget it. He is with me. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. He not only has my back: He has my spirit, my soul, my body because I have answered His call. I am washed in the blood of the Lamb: safe, sanctified, clean I am!

Selah.

 

 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

 

 

CHOOSE TO BE WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB:

 

Revelation 7:11-17
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

 

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

 

 

WORK OUT (THOUGH NEVER EARNING) YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING:

 

Philippians 2:12-16
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

 

 

STAY HIDDEN IN CHRIST:

 

Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also