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I love sleeping on freshly laundered sheets. Oh, the smell and feel of freshly washed sheets; that slight scent of bleach and the crispness of unwrinkled sheets feels heavenly.   I don’t like, however, to fold sheets. I don’t care how many videos I have seen of “how to fold fitted sheets easily”, it doesn’t work for me.  I’m sure there are those of you that will agree!

I also enjoy my fresh cup of coffee in the morning, but I’m not a fan of making it. Yes, I have a Keurig, but there are 3 of us in the house, and it just makes more sense to brew a pot. That first smell and taste of hot coffee is something I look forward to in the morning, while I’m doing my bible reading.

I really enjoy sitting in my car after it has been washed, vacuumed, and shined up. It just feels better to drive a clean car. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely do not like washing and vacuuming my car.  I know there are people out there that really get into detailing, but not me.

How about walking into the bathroom that you just finished cleaning?  It puts me in a good mood.  I know that sounds strange, but seeing everything shine makes me happy.   I know you get the gist of what I’m doing here; nope, I do not like cleaning a bathroom.  It is on the top of my housework projects that I don’t like.

I could go on for a long time about things I enjoy, but not the process of getting to enjoy them.   Life is like that; to prosper or enjoy something, we sometimes must go through a process that we don’t like. The teenage years are a great example; I’m sure any parent who has raised teens is shaking their head in agreement.  Teen years are hard on the child and the parents.  There are so many things to navigate while those hormones are starting to enter the body.  Parents who have patience with the process get to enjoy their young ones growing into adulthood and learning how to navigate life.

Marriage is also a good example; not every day of marriage is easy. There can be rocky roads and rough patches along the way, but the couples that learn the art of compromise come through those rough patches stronger than before.  Learning how to disagree in a healthy manner is rewarding.  Praying for your partner is great for the marriage; it is hard to be angry or irritated with them when you are praying for them.  I love to talk about my husbands’ good points in front of others. It is so much healthier than saying negative things about your partner. 

Anyone who has gone through college knows how rewarding that certificate feels after long days and nights of studying.  College or technical school can be rough; especially if you are working to pay for it.  One must make sacrifices to earn their degree or certificate, but once it is in hand and you land a job, the reward outweighs the pain point you went through.

There are pain points we go through in life that can crush us and leave us feeling devastated.  Maybe you are going through one of them right now.  If so, don’t give up.  If you aren’t a person of faith, I would urge you to seek someone out who is.  Keeping your faith through hard times is important and I would say the only healthy way to get through. 

Life’s disappointments may not always be crushing. Sometimes they are just temporary inconveniences, sometimes they are long term inconveniences. Life can be complicated, but it is also beautiful.  If you are going through something that has you down, just remember; the process isn’t always easy, but you will get through and there may be something very enjoyable and rewarding waiting for you on the other side of your hurt or frustration.

So go on; get your hands dirty and plant a flower bed; you will enjoy having fresh flowers for your kitchen.  Are last night’s dishes still sitting in the sink?  Get up and get that kitchen cleaned, it will feel so good to see a clean countertop. Go take charge of that messy closet and get your pile for charity ready.  Have that garage sale or just clean out the garage.  Does your refrigerator smell a little funky? Get it cleaned out and see how rewarding it is. Do you need to make that call and apologize to someone?  If so, just do it; that salvaged relationship will far outweigh the temporary pain of swallowing your pride.  Do you need to make that dentist’s appointment?  Just get it done and give your smile a good cleaning. Maybe you need to give up a habit that is consuming you; if so, seek some help and conquer it. Have you had a crushing loss? Maybe counseling or turning to a trusted friend will help you get through; there is strength in numbers. Whatever it is that you’ve been putting off, just go get it done and enjoy the reward that follows. I know it isn’t easy, and it may take time, but you won’t be disappointed.