GODLY CREATIVITY
Behind the Iron Curtain, poverty displayed itself in filth. The travelers found the public restrooms beyond deplorable. Tourism was not encouraged. Weary, listless eyes lethargically drooped under every set of eyes passing on the street. Shuffling feet were the norm. Depression was an epidemic. Even finding a necessary room challenged the most adaptable travelers.
Suddenly a sign was noticed. Beneath an old arena building that had seen better days as a horse riding show place, was a staircase. The steps were encrusted with evidence that some preferred to relieve themselves in the stairwell rather than waste the effort and the privileges of privacy. Gingerly, holding tightly to the parts of the hand rail that were attached, the bottom step was finally reached and the filthy rest room door opened.
SURPRISE, The restroom had been whitewashed, starched white, lace curtains covered the windows. Pieces of gift wrapping paper had been pasted like decals around the mirror. The mirror was as shiny as possible considering that time had chipped the silver from the back of the mirror. Pieces cut from old greeting cards made a border across one wall. Kittens, puppies and flowers were cut and pasted to greet us. The toilet stalls were immaculate and a tidy restroom attendant waited to offer toilet tissue with a smile.
WOW. The stench and perilous stairway climb was ahead, but for the moment the blessing and relief of cleanliness dominated. The face of the genteel attendant glowed with the smile and love of the Lord. In another time and place, she would have been at home in a drawing room serving tea from her china tea pot. But here she was blessing and being made a blessing underneath the filth around her…..I think Jesus went to work with her every day….after all, cleanliness is next to Godliness, I’m told.
“WHATSOEVER THEY HAND FINDETH TO DO, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT”
There was a glimpse of Jesus in that place.
©2004-Marlene D. Bergman