“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
A common observation repeated frequently the comment takes on even more meaning with today’s worldwide health concerns.
Moms have always insisted kids wash before mealtime, afterwards and in-between doing chores and work around the ranch.
Highly educated professionals, doctors and the like, insist germs are readily spread to others in many ways. Of course that includes touching anything which another person might have been in contact with.
“Stop the continued increase of bacteria by thorough washing of hands,” health experts demand.
Those in the agriculture profession have likely been most lax in strategic spotlessness. Breakfast, dinner and supper are typically on time around all of the chores and other demanded ranch tasks.
With food on the table, family seated, hopefully a blessing, plates filled, eaten, while conversation centers on the day’s workload. Never a thought about the many places those hands have been cleaning the barn, greasing wheels, and on and on. All are locations with seriously high probability of health contamination.
Yet, notable sickness on ranches has been low compared to urban living. Not scientifically proven, being outside in the wind and sunlight is Mother Nature’s helpful cleansing.
Regardless, nowadays everybody has become conscious about keeping clean. Old timers even admit more frequently using the bar of soap. Report was once heard about a midweek trip to the tub on top of that traditional Saturday night bath.
Moms and office workers always conscientious about handwashing at mealtime and throughout the day are more scrupulous. One even rapidly quoted the recommended picture poster procedure.
If washing hands will help prevent contacting the vicious sickness of the time, it’s definitely worth the little added effort. Conversations with those who’ve become infected and seemingly recovered verify importance of every precaution.
Personal hygiene is critical for healthiness but sanitation itself goes much further. Seemingly something is always becoming grimy of sorts requiring efforts generally seldom fondly exerted.
Dirty dishes follow every set down meal unless disposable tableware is used and most families don’t like that. Dishwashers were invented for the task, yet hot water, squirt bottle soap and dishtowel generally get called to work
No less than 71 Bible verses refer to cleanliness’ importance so evidently it is significant.
Reminded of Isaiah 1:16: “Wash you, make you clean; put away all the evils.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XIV–36–9-6-2020