By the time I was old enough to help with household chores, my oldest sister and my brother had already left home. This left my other two sisters, my parents and me, the youngest.

Now, I didn’t mind sweeping the floor or even washing it. I didn’t mind washing clothes, and I actually asked if I could iron! I didn’t mind dusting, and I certainly didn’t mind licking out the bowl when Mom baked.

But I hated doing the dishes.

It’s amazing how many dishes five people can get dirty. There were lots of pots and pans, eating utensils, dishes, cups and saucers, and no appliance called a dishwasher.

And so, every evening, we would take turns with one girl clearing the table, one washing the dishes and one drying and putting them away. And every evening, the excuses started:

• “I have to practice.” We all took music lessons.
• “I don’t feel well.”
• “I have to go to the bathroom.”
• “I have too much homework.” After all, I was in grade 2.

Our sister, Edna, discovered a way to make washing dishes a little more bearable – she would read. The open book was propped up on the counter by the sink, and now and then, a soapy hand would reach up to turn a page.

And so it was that every day, we hated doing the dishes.

One day, Dad came home with a package. He didn’t tell us what was inside the bag, but quickly went to work to hang his newfound treasure above the sink. It was a small wooden plaque with these words painted on it:

Thank God for dirty dishes,
They have a tale to tell;
While others may go hungry,
We’re eating very well;
With home, health and happiness,
I wouldn’t want to fuss.
By this stack of evidence,
God’s been very good to us.

~ Author Unknown

That plaque remained above the kitchen sink for many years. And although I still can’t say I enjoy doing the dishes, I can say that the message from those words has remained with me for decades.

Something you might want to journal

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever ~ Psalm 136:1

We’re usually more blessed than we realize. What are some simple things in life for which you are grateful?