If it were in my power, I鈥檇 give each of you three Christmas gifts. Under the tree you鈥檇 find a lovely new ironing board and two new irons; the first, a state-of-the-art steam version and the second, one of those heavy cast iron, Little House on the Prairie types. No, I鈥檓 not teetering near insanity 鈥� it鈥檚 just that mine have been such a godsend.
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My ironing board is set up downstairs, away from the TV and the phone. It鈥檚 a place I go to be quiet, to think, to pray and to sort out my week鈥檚 tumbled thoughts. I thought you might like one, too.
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The Caroline Engel鈥檚 model is necessary for those more pressing issues. I mean, life can throw some stubborn wrinkles into our plans and it takes more than hot air to straighten them out. Tough issues demand tough responses.
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The steam version is great for relaxation: there is simply no brain-strain involved in ridding shirts of wrinkles (except, perhaps, in trying to make the dratted machine produce consistent steam). I pile items so as to get a variety of projects without the bother of thinking 鈥� table-clothes here, pillowcases next pile, shirts (one pile for his, one for mine) and so on. Here a hankie, there a hankie鈥�.
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My ironing board has always been the entrance to my quiet place and I鈥檝e got your best interests at heart, honest! Besides, there鈥檚 a secret sense of pride that comes when someone exclaims with awe: 鈥淵ou mean you iron your dish towels!鈥� Just smile, exhibiting a subtle hint of modesty of course, and mutter some incomprehensible drivel. People will think you amazing, close to sainthood, in fact.
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鈥淪urely I have calmed and quieted my soul,鈥� (Psalm 131:2 wrote the Psalmist.听听
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If ever anyone needed stress-relief, it was David鈥ust read his - or our life stories.
