the power of socks
Is there one place in your home where most of your memories are made? For us, it’s our kitchen. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. Even the most trivial memories are made here.
For years, our farmhouse kitchen has been the hub of our family activity. It even housed our washer and dryer. This was equally wonderful and frustrating at the same time. When we came inside from working outside all day, we could simply toss our dirty clothes into the washer. The dirt and grime would never get any farther into the house. But there were those days, in the middle of dinner, when we realized someone needed school or work clothes for the next day. There we would sit eating Daube Provençal - a french beef stew that my husband Bryce altered into a rich, tender venison stew with carrots and olives - listening to the ca-chunk-clink of several pairs of jeans rapidly smacking the sides of the dryer. It was the dinner music we despised the most. And yet, it was necessary.
Laundry is always necessary. Have you ever wondered in all of history how much of humanity's time has been wasted matching socks. For your sake, I hope you haven’t entertained this question, but for me, it is one of those trivial thoughts that crosses my mind every few weeks. And usually it is when I have a mammoth sized laundry basket filled with socks that need to be matched and I threaten to never do laundry again. Because, seriously, who actually wants to match socks?
Back in 2009, my socks never made it to the laundry basket. In those days, everything came straight from the washer onto the kitchen table. This time it joined some cinnamon and sugar and probably several crumbs left from breakfast toast, but it was just socks and those go on feet so a little extra flavoring never mattered! Still in my winter coat, either quickly coming or going, and rushing through laundry, I enlisted my youngest to help in the fray.
Jody & Tziporah Matching Socks
Every child is unique and does crazy things, but seeing this photo reminded me how Tziporah is so much like her parents. Engaging in a mundane everyday task is not an option. And if it is necessary, then it must be challenged or changed. So, clearly the best way to store pairs of socks is to place them on your head for safe keeping.
Tziporah’s Sock Delight
We matched so many socks that day. And every week since. And not to scare you, but as of this post, our family has matched over 80,000 socks. Seriously, I did the math. Well, mostly me, I have matched almost 80,000 socks since my husband and I first got married! That’s a ridiculous amount of socks.
Now in our house we have hand-me-down socks. My son, Elijah has his grandfather’s socks, my youngest daughter has her older sister’s socks and her grandmother’s socks and I have my mother-in-law’s slipper socks. Although, I guarantee farmhouse dirt is harder on them than her pristine carpet floors ever were. So many socks! So much time invested!
So, if you are going to take the time to match socks or to engage in everyday tasks that seem mundane and necessary, it’s a good time to reflect on Psalm 46.
He (God) says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalm 46:10
This statement is made at a time when the Psalmist is threatened and when there is a frenzy of activity around him. It is in a time when he needs to see and understand the help God gives and power that God has. Waging war against socks and fighting against the mundane doesn’t even compare to the threat that the Psalmist felt. Nor does it match the disciples fear in Mark 4:37-41 when Jesus stopped the storm.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” - Mark 4:37-41
It shows God’s presence. And it shows God’s power. When we are still, we see the power of God and the presence of God.
Stand somewhere. Anywhere. In your home or outside. Let your mind flashback to all the memories that you have in that place. Memories that are trivial and simple and memories that are intense and jarring.
Be still. And when we are, we won’t only find fresh new insights into our family and memories, but we’ll get a glimpse of how God was present and powerful in each of those moments too.
I hope you take the time this week to appreciate your memories and find God’s presence and power there.
Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,
Jody