The Laundromat
Having moved to Newport in order to engage the water, breezes, and ocean sounds in inspirational melody, as I design to write, along with celebrating in the Joy of God, I happened to venture into an ordinary event.
My apartment is not ready, yet, and, so, I have been visiting the local laundromat. I've been there nearly everyday, which is rather another story.
I walked in the place, the washers and dryers much different than when I was a child, yet, the faces all seemed familiar to me in a divine innocent sort of way.
My mother used the laundromat when I was a child. I loved watching the washers, and dryers, playing outside, and listening to my mom talk to the people. The clinking of quarters, the placing of baskets, the folding of laundry upon the tables. I remember it all.
The second day a woman began to talk to me, stating she was a former manager of the place, and suggesting which dryers to use in order to obtain the fastest drying time for the least amount of money. On our conversation more people began chatting, and extended a recall of sweet fragrance towards each other, which even surpassed the aroma of fresh linens in the place. Instant closeness. One speaking of family, another work, and another from the local naval station.
The next day I happenstanced upon one of the current employees. Same experience. Others joined in, and it seemed as if a close knit family, all knowing each other's thoughts and feelings, and expressing our commonalities together. And in this case, our conversation shifted to God, family troubles, and how prayer and Good Will seemed to help in any circumstance.
With each visit I find gentle, respectful folk. No one challenging another in any sort of way, simply folding their cotton, or adding their detergent, and talking about their lives and day.
It feels like Home. All joined in purpose to some task, and yet a calling to come together in conversation, which nearly at every turn of the dryers came home to God.
And ordinary event, perhaps. Doing the laundry.
Yet, the learning immense.
One woman who gets up at 0500 each morning to do others' laundry for a living, then to care for her grandchildren all day, and then to tend to her own needs each evening. And thrilled she has off from 12 to 5 that day.
Another who has sacrificed much, but feels her relationship with God takes care of all her personal needs, and so she can give so much time and effort away.
What these individuals do in 24 hours would cause some minds to spin, as to where they obtain their energy, their stamina in going from one cycle to another in their daily lives, and continuing each day in the same way.
The Course speaks of purification of mind. Yet, here, absent any Course material, these individuals brought together in cleansing of an entirely different sort, catalyzed by an ongoing memory of what togetherness is all about. Kindness, generosity, going beyond your own limitations, and trusting God, will give you all you need in whatever circumstance might arise in your day.
It's not just a laundromat. It's God's House of worship in a very attended way.
One who walks,
Jeanette
My apartment is not ready, yet, and, so, I have been visiting the local laundromat. I've been there nearly everyday, which is rather another story.
I walked in the place, the washers and dryers much different than when I was a child, yet, the faces all seemed familiar to me in a divine innocent sort of way.
My mother used the laundromat when I was a child. I loved watching the washers, and dryers, playing outside, and listening to my mom talk to the people. The clinking of quarters, the placing of baskets, the folding of laundry upon the tables. I remember it all.
The second day a woman began to talk to me, stating she was a former manager of the place, and suggesting which dryers to use in order to obtain the fastest drying time for the least amount of money. On our conversation more people began chatting, and extended a recall of sweet fragrance towards each other, which even surpassed the aroma of fresh linens in the place. Instant closeness. One speaking of family, another work, and another from the local naval station.
The next day I happenstanced upon one of the current employees. Same experience. Others joined in, and it seemed as if a close knit family, all knowing each other's thoughts and feelings, and expressing our commonalities together. And in this case, our conversation shifted to God, family troubles, and how prayer and Good Will seemed to help in any circumstance.
With each visit I find gentle, respectful folk. No one challenging another in any sort of way, simply folding their cotton, or adding their detergent, and talking about their lives and day.
It feels like Home. All joined in purpose to some task, and yet a calling to come together in conversation, which nearly at every turn of the dryers came home to God.
And ordinary event, perhaps. Doing the laundry.
Yet, the learning immense.
One woman who gets up at 0500 each morning to do others' laundry for a living, then to care for her grandchildren all day, and then to tend to her own needs each evening. And thrilled she has off from 12 to 5 that day.
Another who has sacrificed much, but feels her relationship with God takes care of all her personal needs, and so she can give so much time and effort away.
What these individuals do in 24 hours would cause some minds to spin, as to where they obtain their energy, their stamina in going from one cycle to another in their daily lives, and continuing each day in the same way.
The Course speaks of purification of mind. Yet, here, absent any Course material, these individuals brought together in cleansing of an entirely different sort, catalyzed by an ongoing memory of what togetherness is all about. Kindness, generosity, going beyond your own limitations, and trusting God, will give you all you need in whatever circumstance might arise in your day.
It's not just a laundromat. It's God's House of worship in a very attended way.
One who walks,
Jeanette
posted by Jenny at 2:19 PM
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