Separating the Precious from the Vile

It was a very trying day. Dad had fallen more than a few times. I had a lot going on. I looked forward to taking a hot shower. I wanted to go away with “Calgon” (Ask your mother or grandmother about that if you do not know). I still had a lot to do. I looked forward to welcoming the beads of water, lather from the soap and the warmth in the midst of the steam. I got in the tub turned on the water and started to lather up. I had lathered up really well. Before I could smile and say “aaaahhhhhhh”, the water went from a caressing warmth to a suddenly shocking “cold” I was done. With my lathered-up trembling body, I got out of the tub. I told God that all I wanted was a hot shower. I started to cry and pray. Amid the disappointment, lather and chills, the Lord said, “Who told you needed hot water to take a shower?” He broke into my thoughts abruptly, arresting my discouragement. The lather and chills took a back seat as I entertained His question “Who, told you, that you need, hot water, to take a shower?” Just as suddenly as the water changed from hot to cold, I, was suddenly sober. His question caused me to recall my military training. When we were on field problems, sometimes we washed up in our steel pots. We did not always get to make the shower runs. The steel pot wash up was more than welcome. Sometimes we had stoves to heat the water, sometimes not. You would just be happy for the opportunity to freshen up. Hot water was not, a necessity. A convenience yes, necessity? No. In reality, all that was needed, was water. A long time ago, people (and still in some places) washed up in creeks, rivers or used buckets. No washcloths. People used their hands. Soap was not always available. No lotion (kitchen grease), no powder and definitely no perfume. Not as we know it. People used baking soda for more than baking cookies. It was good for bathing, deodorant, toothpaste, cleaning, washing clothes and other things. All in one little box. Those other things are actually luxuries. It is okay just to be clean. I had a little boy tell me one time, that I “didn't smell like anything” I did not stink, I just was not wearing any perfume. He was used to his mother having “a smell.” Though “clean”, is a smell. Gods questions are often our answers. He wanted me to think, about why I was having a meltdown over the lack of hot water. Where art thou Adam? Who told you were naked? Can these bones live? Doeth thou well to be angry? Where is thy brother? Needeth thou hot water for thy shower?