Miniature Sweaters

I am very fortunate that my husband likes to help around the house. He often puts washing in the machine, vacuums the floors, washes the dishes—and I always thank him. But today was different, and I was not thankful at all that he washed the laundry.

So much so that I sought God’s help: “Please deal with my husband. If I say something, it will not be good; I am too hurt and annoyed.” See, I specifically told him not to wash my two new woolen tops. They were so soft and delicate.

Only a cold hand wash would do.

While I was away, he put all the light colors together on a low-temperature wash cycle. But for woolens, that was still too hot.

Of course, what came out of the washing machine were two miniature sweaters that might fit a five-year-old. Rubbing salt in the wound, he asked if I would check online how to fix his mistake. “No,” I continued as he looked at me, bewildered. “I did not cause this trouble in the first place. What is done is done. I will get myself a new top. Do not worry about it.” (Oops, sorry, God; I already said too much!) So he went looking for answers.

The solution he found on the internet required soaking, rinsing, rolling, and stretching. I came to help at the stretching phase, as he requested, knowing full well from experience that it would not work. I had to bite my tongue. I was so tempted to say, “I told you so,” or “You should have listened to me,” but I stopped just short of it.

We were able to stretch one of the sweaters so that perhaps it may have fit an eight-year-old. The other one was not as lucky. From the serious stretching, it broke and went straight into the rubbish bin. My prayer was being answered, though, while I went on peacefully doing other things. As the evening approached, I was stirring our dinner on the stove.

With a humble face, my husband came and stood next to me and said, “I am sorry I ruined your woolens.” Positively surprised, I thanked God in my heart! “Apology accepted,” I responded in answer to my husband. It turned out to be a sweet and beautiful ending to quite a day!

Danijela Schubert