Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Laundry on the Porch
Country music artist, Sara Evans had a #1 hit recording in 2004 with her song, “Suds in the Bucket.” It’s about an 18-year-old girl in the backyard hanging the family’s laundry on the clothesline when her boyfriend drives up in a white pickup truck. She made a quick decision: “She left the suds in the bucket and the clothes hangin’ out on the line.” I used to have a clothesline, but I don’t anymore. We disposed of it years ago because it was in the way of the truck when my late husband unloaded the wood. Since I don’t believe in drying my clothes to death in the dryer, I will air-dry my lingerie on a multi-layer hanger on the front porch in warm weather. Because my house faces south, whatever I do on my porch isn’t typically seen by anyone other than grazing cattle and mangy coyotes.
However, one warm laundry day, my propane man came to power wash my tank. No, he didn’t call first, so I didn’t know he was coming. Had I known, I would have gathered up my underwear that was flapping in the breeze before he arrived. (I had actually forgotten about them.) We had a cordial visit; I have no idea what he thought of my porch décor.
It’s one thing to forget that my underwear was gaily waving to the propane man, but it’s another thing to forget about the goodness of God. Committed believers have continual assurance that God’s goodness is available 24-7 to comfort, protect, guide, provide, heal, and strengthen us. His goodness covers all of our needs for today and tomorrow. His storehouse is always full of His enduring goodness.
“And why are you troubled about clothing? See the flowers of the field, how they come up; they do no work, they make no thread” (Matthew 6:28 BBE). Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount covered all the bases regarding how much God cares for His children.
If we’re experiencing a blue day, an off day, a discouraging day, remember the goodness of God: “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation” (Psalm 100:5 NLT).
When we’re afraid, we can go to God for safety, comfort, and assurance. “How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who (reverently) fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world” (Psalm 31:19 NLT). God’s goodness shows up in the OR, the waiting room, the storm cellar, the new job, the cemetery, the court room, the penitentiary, etc.
The goodness of God is found in His miraculous ability to restore emotional brokenness and sorrow. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV). I remember the night in 2021 when I received the beginning process of the restoration of my soul. I knew He would be true to His Word. I will never forget God’s goodness in taking my broken heart and restoring it to it’s original condition of happiness and peace.
The Key: Don’t forget to remember the everlasting goodness of God.
