To Clean the Clothes of Those With Dirty Clothing

The Corporal Works of Mercy are an incredibly important concept to be aware of.  Mercy is a virtue and allows us a doorway into the life of Christ.  Although today’s story isn’t specifically a work of mercy, it helped remind me of how fortunate I am.  (Maybe it falls under “Clothe the Naked”?)

Today, I had the opportunity to lend a helping hand to a family in need.  It wasn’t in the plans, and it wasn’t ideal, but I did it.  So I was lying in bed with my wife, both children asleep for nap time, enjoying her company this afternoon and I received a phone call.  It was my father-in-law asking if I was free to help move a washer and dryer.  He knew it was not the ideal time (my wife had just come home, I was home watching the kids, it was a holiday-day-off, and so on) but he knew that he could count on me.  So, I quickly left the house and made the drive to his home.  When I arrived, the washer and dryer were ready and waiting to be hoisted into my truck bed and delivered to their new home.

The washer and dryer were an extra set that my in-laws had in their garage.  They were taking up space there, but were still operational.  My mother-in-law knows of many families, by way of her school, that are in need, and the family they donated these machines to were in great need.  As I loaded the machines in my truck, drove them to the family’s mobile home and as I then proceeded to drive to my home, I felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to play a role in this little gift.  It helped me to see the perspective of how great of a life I have, and how crummy of a life others may have.  And, in the end, it doesn’t come down to stuff, or status.  It comes down to happiness… joy.  The family we delivered the washer and dryer didn’t need much.  They were content with having a washer and dryer, no matter how old or how many loads of laundry (literally thousands) had been washed in the machines prior to their arrival at their new spot.

I want to urge you to do a corporal work of mercy regularly.  It brings joy to your life, which is supposed to be a by-product of the work, but like many things, when you give of yourself without wanting/desiring/requesting anything back, you are actually the one who benefits most from the experience.  I’m lucky to have been able to help this family today.

Man up!