The Day the Dishwasher Broke

Sundays are incredibly busy days around our house.  We're usually up early and in bed late with little time for rest in between.  A couple of weeks ago, while in the middle of cooking breakfast for my tribe of hungry fellas, I opened the dishwasher to put away the clean dishes.  As I began unloading I noticed that the dishes appeared half clean.  Ugh! On a Sunday morning of all days.  Mouths to feed, boys to dress, somewhere to go, lunch still to prepare.  Broke.  I stood there in utter disbelief at first.  I quickly put the few dishes I had gotten out back in with more washing liquid.  Turned the dial on the dishwasher.  After several minutes I realized there was absolutely no water going to the dishwasher.  My frustration was mounting.  I didn't have time.  

Today, my dishwasher is still sitting idle.  There is no quickly loading and unloading the dishes in order to move on to whatever is next.  As a matter of fact, the day the dishwasher broke I learned some very important lessons.

• Time is valuable.  I never had to worry about spending time standing at the kitchen sink hand washing and towel drying dishes.  Now, I have to make the best use of my time in order to add one more chore to the list.


• Some things can wait.  I must confess, I'm a social media junkie.  If I'm not careful, I'll spend half my day staring at the screen on my smart phone or at the computer.  In reality, social media can wait.   It is not nearly as important as the three boys laughing and playing in my living room.  Time with my children I can never get back. Facebook status updates will still be there in an hour, a day or even a week.


• Down time is good for my spirit.  I'm a worrier.  I'm constantly thinking about what is or is not done, what needs to be done, why I haven't been able to accomplish this or that.  But when I stand at that kitchen sink, I don't have to think much about what I'm doing.  I can put some music on and just fall into that dish washing routine.

Though I can't say I don't want the dishwasher fixed, because then I'd be a liar, I'm thankful for the opportunity to put some things into perspective.  And see for what I truly should be thankful!