07/22/2026
Shared from Honeysuckle Drive 2.0
A few weeks ago, I shared our family rule: I cook. They clean. That means every night, three guys ranging from 16 to 51 load my dishwasher. And let me tell you, they all do it differently.
One points the silverware up. Another points it down. One scrubs every dish before it ever reaches the dishwasher. Another gives everything a quick rinse. And one? He believes in putting it straight in there and letting Jesus… I mean the dishwasher… take the wheel.
There isn’t a system. Cups end up beside bowls. Plates are scattered everywhere. New dishes sit beside old ones. A blue plastic container that’s hanging on by a thread is parked next to a yellow plate that belonged to my grandmother more than forty years ago.
It’s one big, mismatched mess!
And that’s exactly what the church looks like. Some people come to Jesus as children. Others don’t find Him until they’re old. Some have stories that seem neat and tidy. Others carry years of hurt, regret, addiction, or shame. Some arrive looking polished on the outside. Others know they’re a mess.
But, here’s what I love… the dishwasher doesn’t care who loaded the dishes, where they came from, or how long they’ve been dirty.
And neither does Jesus.
But every now and then, a stubborn pan comes out that needs a little extra attention. It has to be soaked, scrubbed by hand, and given a little more time. When that happens, I don’t blame the dishwasher. I don’t blame the person who loaded (or invited 😉) the dish. I don’t even blame the dishes sitting beside it. I just roll up my sleeves and help clean the pan.
Some of God’s children require a little more patience, a little more grace, and a little more love from us. That isn’t our cue to criticize them. It’s our invitation to help. Because the church isn’t just where broken people come seeking Jesus. It’s where we learn to help one another through the stubborn spots.
The church was NEVER meant to be a cabinet full of matching, spotless china. It’s a dishwasher full of imperfect people being made clean. But, it amazes me how much time we spend inspecting stains instead of helping remove them.
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1
