Scrubbing to Find Yourself

Caroline Godin likens the scrubbing of her burnt pot to the way the Lord scrubs away at sin. 

Burnt 

I’m embarrassed to mention this, especially as an Italian, but I burned pasta. How does one mess up boiling pasta? I was in a hurry to throw food at the kids and get to evening activities. The bottom line is that I ruined our favorite pot. It. Was. Black. It soaked in dish soap and hot water fruitlessly for a day. I know; I did it all wrong.  

Ever find yourself doing something that you know is wrong but you’re doing it? I’ve done it countless times. Don’t eat junk when your heartburn is bad … eats junk. Don’t stay up late if you have to get up early … stays up late. Don’t buy things you don’t need … buys things. My guardian angel must have his hand permanently on his head. 

Scrub for Value 

When I finally took the time to attack it, I ended up boiling water and white vinegar, then adding baking soda to loosen the black char. I scrubbed with the sponge, steel wool, and metal bristles. Nothing seemed to be working when I checked through the suds. I checked often in my impatience.  

No matter what method I tried, I followed with serious elbow grease scrubbing the char. As I scrubbed in what seemed a futile effort, I considered how valuable the pot really is. There was no question; it’s our favorite and there was no way I was letting this go without a fight.  

This pot came with our house, left behind by the previous owner. Though it was worn around the handle, the metal was good, and it always came clean. I was determined. This meant I needed maximum effort. Back to boiling with baking soda.  

I began to contemplate our value to the Lord. How He must scrub me the same when I cover myself in sin—He Who died on a Cross to save me, yet I continue to burn that purity by falling back to sin. He puts immeasurable effort to clean me up, tirelessly teaching me through my own burns how strong His love is. My value to Him is beyond understanding. 

Scrub for Patience 

I kept checking between scrubbing. Those little bursts seem useless, yet after a while, I started to wonder if some of the black was lessening. I thought there may be less char in some places. This wasn’t going to be a quick scrub, not with the mess I made. I realized I needed more patience, more endurance, and more baking soda. If only I had the Lord’s patience!  

While I mentally complained about the effort and time needed for an old pot, Jesus hung patiently on a Cross for me. The pain and agony He endured for my sake is unsurpassable, yet I complain about this little scrubbing. How foolish of me! I continue with a little more patience, checking less frequently.  

I make Him wait often. He waits for me to learn more. He waits for me to love more. His patience with me is astounding. I have told Him so, but now I realize in contrast how very little mine is. Why does patience have to take so long to learn? 

Scrub with Assistance 

My husband, who cooks more than half the meals, was patient with me. While I was at work, he took a turn working on the pot. Fair to say his arms are stronger, so his progress was easier to see.  

When I came home, I was not only grateful for his help, but delighted to see the burn marks were nearly gone. A few more rounds of baking soda and scrubbing. Somehow, scrubbing felt easier now that I wasn’t the only one working on it.  

When working on anything, especially ourselves, it’s easier with allies. The Lord of course is always by our side, but there’s an army praying for us in heaven. On earth, we have friends and family supporting us. When we surround ourselves with that love, the scrubbing and cleansing of ourselves is easier.  

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The Lord puts immeasurable effort to clean me up, tirelessly teaching me through my own burns how strong His love is. #CatholicMom

Clean at Last 

Finally, the last few bits of char were loosened and scrubbed away. It took about five days. While scrubbing, it felt like it took an eternity. There’s an old saying, “The days are long, but the years are short.” It refers to child rearing but applies to any trial. In the thick of things, time can seem frozen, but looking back makes it much shorter.  

When I look back at the mess I was decades ago, I’m ever grateful for the Lord’s patience, the people He put in my life, and all the scrubbing He did to get me here. Some of it was painful, some I certainly resisted, but all necessary and for my good.  

My pot is good for cooking again. It was worth all the effort. I will never let that happen again. Still, I’m grateful for the lesson. May I keep myself clean so He doesn’t need to scrub as much. A clean soul is of more use to the Lord, after all. 

Copyright 2023 Caroline Godin
Images: (top, bottom) Canva; (center) copyright 2023 Caroline Godin, all rights reserved.