Well, my dryer is still broken – dead I’m afraid. Ready to be buried. The dryer that is. Anyway, here I am in the Laundromat washing all 10 loads of clothes. All of my family’s clothes will be clean! Until tomorrow. Feels pretty weird here in the Laundromat. I am out of my element. A little nervous. It is night. I came alone. However, in the very short time I have been here I have already spoken with 5 different people. Two helped me in the door, one showed me how to run the washing machines and gave me tips on running the washers. She knows the ropes and felt compassion towards this lone laundry doing mom. I then spoke with the guy next to me. Just small talk, but he was curious about my family – must have a big one since I had all that laundry. He only had one load. Guy number 4 offered small talk as well. He hates to fold. He was here with his dad and I caught wind that mom is in the hospital. She’s ok, but I think it’s tough on them. Number 5, the dad, politely asked if I would like the t.v. turned up as he had been the one to turn it down while he was on the phone. All of these kind people have made me feel a little more at home here. They welcomed me in to their territory with open arms. Love it. Funny, I like to think I am the hospitable one, smiling and speaking to anyone who will listen. But although I have kept an open mind and my kind smile, they are the ones who stepped out first. I find that I was not as accustomed to random kindness as I thought.

Excuse me a second, I have to go switch loads

I’m back. Since the wash cycle, the first kind couple came back and gave me more tips. Two dryer sheets per dryer or you’ll have too much static. Don’t put more than $1.75 in the dryer right away, add 25 cents after it starts and you will gain 5 minutes. She also walked around and picked up the floor so no one would trip. Very thoughtful. Small talk about politics – avoiding them that is – lots of laughs and she and hubby are on their way out. I thanked them again for their help. I'm getting the feeling that a lesson is to be learned here.

Fast forward to laundry's done. I've got a huge mess on one end of the room with baskets all over. I am blocking the way to the coin machine. Oops. A lady comes in and apologizes to me for having to weave around my things. I am humbled and apologize back for my mess.

Back home now. When I'm leaving some new folks are there doing laundry. Mom, two teens and a kid. While walking to the door laundry baskets in hand, mom tells teen to get up and open the door for me. He is reading a large book and must be really into it. I imagine he is at least trying to finish his sentence. Mom hurries him. Teen gets up, opens the door for me and then apologizes to me for not getting up faster. I don't know what to say but "Thank you very much!" and "Don't worry about it." Now I am sure there is a lesson. I am feeling warm and fuzzy from the fruits of this broken dryer thing.

On a side note, since the dryer has died two days ago we have had a gracious offer from a friend to do our laundry for us (I wouldn't stick anyone with all that laundry), as well as an offer from part of our church family for a dryer that they have. It is electric and ours was gas, but it just so happens that they have an electrician among them – blessings for us! We may just have to take them up on their offer. The Laundromat has been great, but I would still prefer to do my clothes at home.

All of this goodness makes me think again, maybe God broke the dryer after all.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.. - Matthew 5:16