She hath washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

~Luke 7:44b KJV

It was “Wash Day.” Elise got right to work, separating the laundry into piles.

She loaded the washer, reached for the cleaning agents, and meticulously measured the bleach, detergent, and fabric softener–pouring each into their respective receptacles. Then she hit the start button and glanced at the remaining piles.

“No!” Elise exclaimed, jamming the stop-cycle button as she realized her mistake.

The white clothes were still on the floor. She had accidentally put her business attire into the wash, along with bleach. Elise removed her permanent-press clothing and replaced them with whites, relieved she had retrieved her business attire before the bleach was dispensed.

“Why did I do that?” she asked herself. Elise quickly answered her own question, “Because I was just going through the motions.” Doing laundry wasn’t something she prioritized. Rather, it was a chore she did because it was necessary. She didn’t mind the routine of Wash Day, but she didn’t value it.

She poured coffee, sat, and opened her Bible. She read about Mary of Bethany who had been going through the motions of religion until Jesus rescued her from a life of sin. But after Mary had spent time with Jesus, He had become everything to her. Mary offered Jesus her most precious gift: an alabaster box with anointing perfume, which was her dowry. As she did so, her tears fell upon her Master’s feet, which she wiped clean with her hair. No longer was Mary content to go through the motions of lifeless religion. She was devoted to Jesus with every ounce of her being.

Mary loved Jesus. She would follow Him even to the cross. Mary anointed Jesus for His burial ahead of time with her best gift, which was the anointing oil, with the hopes He would rise again. But, no matter how things turned out, she wanted Him to have this extravagant gift.

Elise thought about the twelve disciples. All except Judas were as devoted as Mary of Bethany. They were willing to give up their livelihoods to follow their master. She realized she must be just as committed. She must prioritize her time with Jesus. She thought about others who had shown their devotion by inviting Him into their homes, or in other ways showing Him honor. She must do the same.

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

~Luke 18:28 KJV

Elise set her Bible on the stand. “Lord Jesus,” she whispered, “am I going through the motions with my religious ways? Remake me.” She glanced at the laundry. “Cleanse me. Help me to recognize You paid the ultimate price—death on a cross. The least I can give You is my whole-hearted devotion. Create in me the heart of a worshipper. Make me a Mary.”

Gently, almost imperceptibly at first, the rain of the Holy Spirit descended upon Elise. The washer buzzed, but Elise stayed seated. It was “Wash Day,” and the Lord was answering her heartfelt prayer. A song of praise and thanksgiving, as well as peace unfettered, saturated her. Elise sang into the evening, and then, stillness permeated her soul. In the silence, Elise felt the power of her Savior as never before.

“Wash Day” had become the cleansing she needed. Elise had become a worshipper.

How can you prioritize your time with Beloved Jesus?

Lord Jesus, wash me with Your love. Reign and create in me a heart of worship that is living rather than rote. Help me to have a tender heart toward You, recognizing You paid the ultimate price for my freedom. I give my entire being to You. Amen.

Genre: Fiction

Copyright 2019: Wash Day: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved

Published: March 26, 2017: The Vision Magazine: Word Aflame: Editor Karen Myers: Pentecostal Publishing House, 36 Research Park Ct., Weldon Spring, MO, 63304

Published: April 2019: Christian Broadcasting Network: Beth Patch, Senior Producer

Published (similar version): January 29, 2020: PresbyCan Daily Devotionals: Robin Ross, Submissions Editor