The Dishwasher Fiasco

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

I woke up to a strange groaning noise, rhythmic and awful. Instantly, I knew what it was.

The dishwasher was broken, and it was all my fault.

Earlier that night, I had reached under the sink for the detergent and accidentally grabbed the dish soap refill. The bottles had about the same height and heft. I realized my mistake almost immediately and wiped out the dispenser, replaced the dish soap with a small amount of the correct detergent, and started the cycle.

Thirty minutes later, I noticed water and bubbles on the floor. Uh-oh. I wiped up the spill and went to bed.

But when I heard the groaning, I knew. I launched out of bed and ran downstairs, filled with dread. At 3:17 a.m., the cycle should have finished hours ago. Instead, the motor was trying and failing, again and again. Cutting the power to the dishwasher, I headed back upstairs.

I can’t believe I did that, I berated myself. What a mess. Instantly, the worries began: What if it’s expensive to fix? What if we need to get a new dishwasher? My anxiety spiked as the negative thoughts circled.

The next morning, I sheepishly told my husband what had happened. Calmly, he said he’d contact a general contractor friend. By the time the morning was over, our friend had fixed the problem. What a relief!

Although I was happy my dishwasher was back in working condition, I was ashamed about my initial response. I hadn’t bothered to pray. I hadn’t asked God for his peace or comfort as I tried to sleep. I hadn’t remembered all the times in the past when he’s demonstrated his unchanging faithfulness to me. No, my worries and self-blaming hadn’t fixed the situation—if anything, they had made it worse.

I love how straightforward Paul’s words to the church of Philippi are when addressing their concerns: Don’t worry. Instead, pray. Tell God what you need. Thank him for what he’s done. You and I don’t have to figure out everything in this life independently. Instead, let’s seek God first, knowing that his ways are better than ours.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Identify one situation that is troubling you. Follow Paul’s advice to the Philippians: Don’t worry. Instead, pray. Tell God what you need. Thank him for what he’s done.