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” and Elise got right to work separating the laundry into piles.

She loaded the washer, and reached for the cleaning agents. She meticulously measured bleach, detergent, and fabric softener, pouring each into their respective receptacles. She hit the start button, and turned away. As Elise glanced at the remaining piles, she realized the white clothes were still on the floor.

“No!” Elise exclaimed, jamming the stop-cycle button. She removed her permanent press clothing and replaced them with whites. She was relieved she had retrieved her business attire before the bleach had dispensed. “Why did I do that?” Elise quickly answered her own question, “It is because I was just going through the motions.” Doing laundry wasn’t something she prioritized, it was a chore.

Elise poured coffee, and opened her Bible. She read about Mary who had been going through the motions of religion until Jesus rescued her from a life of sin. Now, 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; rather, she was devoted to Jesus with every ounce of her being. She would follow Him even to the foot of the cross. Mary knew through prompting of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus would give His life, and so she anointed Him for burial with her best gift, hoping He would rise again.

Elise set her Bible on the stand. “Lord Jesus,” she whispered, “am I going through the motions when I read Your Word? Remake me. Help me to recognize that You paid the ultimate price—death on Calvary’s cross—in order to forgive me as You did Mary. The least I can give You is a heart wholly devoted to You. Mary worshiped You; create in me also, the heart of a worshiper.

Gently, almost imperceptibly, the Holy Spirit began to descend upon Elise. The washer buzzed, but Elise stayed seated. It was “Wash Day,” and God was answering her prayer. A song of praise saturated Elise’s heart as peace fell upon her thirsty soul. She sang into the evening, and then, stillness permeated her soul as never before. In the sacred silence, Elise felt the renewal of her Beloved Savior. She was new.

How can you prioritize your time with Jesus?

Lord Jesus, Wash over me with Your love. Reign in my heart each day.

Amen.

Genre: Fiction

Copyright 2016: 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 25, 2019: Christian Broadcasting Network: Beth Patch, Internet Ministries Producer

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