The Washed Car Parable
Since I can remember, I was taught that “Saturday is a special day; it’s the day we get ready for Sunday.” The song continues listing various chores that will prepare us to worship the Sabbath. Having that ingrained into my brain and the diligence of an excellent trainer on my mission, who taught me the value of what preparation day should be; I know that weekly clean up helps us physically and spiritually carry forward with our Sabbath and for the rest of the week. Being dutiful, I did just that.
Somewhat early, I went to clean my Church meeting house. The janitorial mop and I twirled and slid through the bathrooms and kitchen (may it be noted, the boy’s bathroom won the title for large and brown spiders). After the completion of the cleaning of the Church, I was onto household chores which included a major deep clean of my car.
I cleared out the trash in my car that had accumulated over its winter hibernation and sorted out the necessities. I shook, vacuumed and washed the mats. I vacuumed the interior and cleared the dust. I pulled it through the local car wash and scrubbed it down. The neon green foam that gurgled through the car wash brush seemed to sense my enthusiasm, and caught the vision as it produced excessive suds. Life was good. A fresh start, a fresh week. The droplets of water vanished as I sped by on the country roads. My car and I had a mutual sense of satisfaction. Even after the major detailing, I discovered an air-freshener neglected in my driver’s side door pocket. The scent was coconut. Fresh island discovery. I pulled into my driveway and continued with the tasks that awaited me. With the energy I had left, I concluded the day of dutiful work by climbing into the shower. Rewarding myself, I carried my CD player into the bathroom and allowed Norah Jones to sing several duets with me, for a shower is not complete until you sing at least one song.
I returned to my room only to hear the violent rustling leaves outside my window. The sky was gray and I knew what was approaching. Being out in the country, and especially Rexburg, wind is not just wind, its debris and gunk. My heart sank. I knew that my sparkling burgundy Nissan was about to plastered with dust and rain. I sat on my bed disappointed. Not even a day to display my shining car about town. Only a few hours and the transformation was lost, the clouds rolling in appeared to be bellowing destruction of everything that I had accomplished that day. Even the birds were in on Mother Nature’s nasty trick. The decided that my car should be target practice for their completed digestive cycle.
It took me a moment, but within that moment, I switched gears and began to laugh. What else can be done? My super powers were not quite in tack, I couldn’t prevent nature from following its course, so I shook my head, rolled my eyes and laughed. I know the formula for rain; newly washed car=a dusty rain storm. The following morning, I reread my letter from my brother serving his mission. He said, “This week has been really interesting, and by interesting I mean a little discouraging. We were facing a lot more fall through and rejections than normal and we were really trying to figure out what we were doing wrong…Somehow we kept laughing about everything. I asked him one time after yet another fall through, "why are we laughing?" Probably because it was just so ridiculous (and maybe some laughing gas from above). But among it all has been some really good experiences.”
I flashed back to the day before. My efforts, just like my brothers have purpose. My washing of the car became my new parable. As in life; his efforts in serving the Lord are for a goodly desire and duty. Even though he was rejected, he and his companion laughed and continue to. In our lives, sunshine will warm our faces and life can be fun and fulfilling. As the uncontrollable clouds descend upon us; that is when we prove who we are by how we react. What is our attitude? Can we “Come what may, and love it? ” I could even go as far as to say that just like my interior cleaning of my car; it’s the internal cleansing of our spirit that leads to eternal destination. When we clear out the clutter in our lives and throw away sin, that’s the cleansing power that smells so sweet and fresh.
It’s also rewarding to have that first passenger to enter into our newly cleaned car without feeling worried of what they might see or find. So it is with the Spirit of the Lord, only He can be the ultimate cleansing agent and the eternal passenger that can accompany on us any journey, especially when the rains descend. He’ll bring warmth in the cold, light in the darkness, and direction on the path; the only key is to open the door to let Him in.
The gospel is a gospel of good news. The Lord wants us to be happy and our efforts are not unseen. Mortality is full of rain. We knew that before we came. We can find laughter and joy in each drop, and allowing the Spirit of the Lord to get us to our ultimate destination. Our preparation day is now. We are in the Saturday of the duration of the final days of the return of the Savior. Our spiritual and physical labors will prepare us internally and eternally for Sunday.
