I finally caught up on my ironing last night. I had been putting it off for a few days. Uh, yes, I know how to iron. Our mother made sure her boys knew how to iron, vacuum, clean house, wash dishes and clothes. Was your mother not mean like that?
I’ve even ironed with a flat iron heated on a wood stove. (A wood stove is made of iron and burns wood, it is not made of wood. It does not use electricity.)
My all time favorite thing to iron is a handkerchief. (Easy things are usually my favorite.)
Did you know a popular phrase has come out of the chore of ironing? I found a statement saying it seems to have been used around the mid 1700’s. The phrase is “iron things out.” We all need to “iron things out” from time to time.
It can be expressed in several different ways. It means to remove problems and find solutions, deal successfully with a disagreement or problem, to work things out, to resolve or to settle things.
Jesus never called it “ironing things out”, but he sure did express the principle.
“If you remember your brother has something against you, go, be reconciled to them and then bring your gift to God.” (Matthew 5:23)
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary” (Matthew 5:25)
“If your brother or sister sins, go point out their fault.” (Matthew 18:15)
Jesus is big on “ironing things out.”