"Clean And Fresh"

I stand here folding my weekly laundry,

and marvel at the clean smell of it all.

I know that I have done good,

And I smile at my accomplishment.

I feel pride in the way I do things,

As I know you must feel too.

Not the kind of pride that corrupts,

But the kind that satisfies the soul.

I try to keep my life just as clean,

So that my soul does not sour.

I do not want to be left behind,

When God brings about the end.

I want my soul to be fresh,

And smell of purity.

I hope and pray that it is,

And that God will be pleased.

I know that God want us to feel

As clean as we possibly can,

But He forgives us just the same,

If we slide behind our duties.

I try not to slide away,

But sometimes I do.

Then every time I do my laundry,

I remember the sweet smell of clean.

They say, "cleanliness is next to Godliness";

And I certainly do believe that.

There's nothing as fresh as clean laundry,

Therefore a clean body and soul.

I try my best to keep evil at bay,

And not say or do wrong things.

I do not want to discover

That God is displeased with me.

So I keep my house and laundry

As clean as I can,

And pray hardest for the cleanliness

Of my body and soul too.

by Jann Newland

©January 2006