I Hate Ironing, But I LOVE My Hubby!
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
I have never enjoyed ironing. It is a dreaded chore.
When we were newlyweds I burned my arm badly the first time I ironed for Russ. I told him with a huff that I would not be doing anymore ironing for him and without a fuss that was that.
It wasn’t too much of a big deal because he seldom wore clothes that needed to be ironed and when he did, he ironed them.
Over time, I matured spiritually and eventually my hubby was promoted into a Navy job where he does NOT wear a uniform, but instead he wears a button down dress shirt, slacks and a tie everyday!
When I was complaining to my mom that I would probably need to start ironing now… she told me a story of a friend of hers who would pray over her husband when she ironed his shirts and saw it as a labor of love.
Convicted of my selfish heart-set I decided to emulate my mom’s sweet friend.
That was about 8 years ago and I still hate ironing, but I love my man and I love serving him!
I elaborated on the ironing prayer over time… now I listen to teaching tapes and pray as I iron:
As I iron the collar of his shirts I pray that God will strengthen his neck… so that he will not be “stiff-necked”, but that he will be yielded to Christ and that his neck will turn his head to face the direction that God has for him in every situation and that God will direct his thoughts and fill his mind.
As I iron the right side of the shirt I pray for his physical health. I pray that God will strengthen him in body and protect him from illness. I pray that my husband will find time in his busy day to excercise and eat right.
When I iron the left side of the shirt I pray that God will guard his heart and his emotions. I pray that he will be constantly reminded of how dearly he is loved by his family and how deep was God’s love for him in sending His Son for us!
When I iron the back and the shoulders I pray that God will strengthen him to bear the burdens he is given each day at work and home. I pray that he will continually surrender these burdens to God and seek His guidance. I pray also that God will protect his back… that none will deceive him or lead him into any kind of temptation.
My prayer over his left sleeve is that of his service to others… that he can lend a helping hand, and find opportunities to share the gospel with others.
His right arm symbolizes his authority over this family and I pray for his strength and our submission to him as the spiritual head of this household as he leads us each day.
When I hang his shirt on the hanger and place it in our closet I pray that the Blood of Jesus will protect him mentally, physically and spiritually and that his safety and success will bring Glory to God in all things.
I took these photos when I was ironing Thursday afternoon. I didn’t mention it to Russ. I ironed several things for him and put them neatly in the closet. The next morning as I was awaking… Russ leaned over the bed to kiss me good-bye and to have me straighten his tie (he always does that!) and as my eyes began to focus I saw that he was wearing this very shirt. My heart was warmed all the way down to my toes and I wished that I had been awake enough to grab the camera and take a picture of him wearing it! I told myself I would take a picture when he got home from work, but I forgot!
May you be blessed by something here and be inspired to take what you dislike and turn it into a praise unto God and a blessing as you serve your family in love.
Now …. to figure out how to redeem the time it takes to clean our three bathrooms! LOL!
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Wow – what a blessed husband you have!
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THat is such a wonderful testamony…I have also not enjoyed ironing (really just the forcing myself to do it, I am lazy). I pray now I will learn by your example that when I am married I will serve my husband in such a way. Thank you for sharing.
Megan
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That’s such a neat idea! I’m not married, but I will certainly file that away.
-Miss Hannah
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Thank you for sharing that! Even though I am still a young lady living in my father’s house, it has given me much food for thought. I usually do the ironing for my father and lately I have struggled with an attitude concerning it. Again, thank you for sharing!
To the KING be all the glory!
Rebekah
BLOG: http://www.donotgrowweary.com/blog
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
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Wow. I’m convicted all over the place. I know I don’t pray near enough for my sweet man. This is a wonderful way to add more prayer time for my husband throughout my day! Thank you for this awesome reminder.
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What a challenging post. I’ve done my share of ironing growing up in a third world country were we dried everything on the clothes line in the common area between 5 story buildings, or on our tiny porch. Winters were the toughest when we had to bring in frozen clothes and let them thaw, dry inside hung all over the house, then iron them. Like doing laundry twice, you know. Or during rainy seasons it took forever to dry the clothes inside since it was so humid inside as well. But, all women there did it. When I came to the US I hardly did any ironing. And that was only for clothes that came out of a suitcase and I hated sloppy looks. I was very shocked how easy it is to dry clothes in the US and loved the wrinkle free idea (that is if you go to the dryer right after the buzzer went off). I still enjoy hanging large clothes on my Target metal rack and throw them in the dryer for a few min to de-wrinkle. I sometimes will iron a stubborn shirt. Now I will pray for my husband or child while taking it off the rack or folding it or drying. What a great idea! I can’t say that I hate ironing but I have other things I hate that I have to do daily ( I am not going to even get into that:) Your prospective on ironing helped me deal with the things I hate. Whether it’s doing them for my husband or the kids, or the neighbors. Your husband is a blessed man to have a woman doing his shirts and praying for him every step of the way. Way to go! So glad I found your blog! Blessings, Natalie
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