Socks are a dirty reminder of why laundry is a chore. Exhibit A: my husband. Steve is kinda a clean foot freak. He doesn’t like dirty socks, which is a problem since every day he gets his socks pretty dirty. In an attempt to keep his feet fresh he uses baby powder to avert moisture.

At night, he removes his socks and leaves them in a wad. So when I go to launder the socks, I have to pull them apart so they will get clean in the washer. When I do this, often times there is a poof of smoke made by the baby powder.

I wish I could tell you I am a perfect wife who never thinks bad thoughts about her spouse but that would not be true because for a long time, this sock thing really bugged me.

Standing at the washer one day, I was in a foul state of mind and not happy with the whole sock situation. Out of the blue, the Holy Spirit got ahold of my heart and head. I am not always sure how God speaks: if it’s audible or if it is simply a voice in my head. But I am certain I heard from God while holding a dirty sock. The voice said, “Instead of thinking bad thoughts about Steve, why don’t you instead pray for him and think good thoughts about him?” Gulp.

I know it sounds silly but it took me a minute because I honestly wasn’t ready to give up being mad about the socks. Since I heard God speaking to me about this, you would think it would be pretty easy to obey. I love my husband and truly want what’s best for him, including clean socks. So with a shrug and a sigh, I surrendered. I started using the washing and folding time to pray for my husband. I prayed for wisdom, safety for him and all his employees, success, and good relationships to name a few things.

I cannot promise I never had ill feelings about his dirty socks again, but the sour thoughts did come in lesser degrees. Over time, my heart softened because I believed Jesus when he said persistent and consistent prayers matter.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

Years later, when Steve retired, he shared with me that the one success of which he was most proud. While he oversaw his business, not one employee was seriously injured and no fatalities happened on his watch. I had never realized the burden he carried each day for the safety of his employees. I wondered, had my laundry room prayers made a difference? I’d like to think so.