Fitted Sheets and Frustration

Gaaaah! This fitted sheet is driving me crazy! I know, I know…. it’s not a long drive. =] I was folding the sheets I had just taken out of the dryer. The pillow cases folded quite nicely. Flat as can be. It took a couple more minutes to fold the flat sheet, because it’s bigger, but it went nicely as well. Then I grabbed the fitted sheet. I always save that one for last because every fitted sheet I’ve ever owned has had a mind of its own. And frankly, fitted sheets just aren’t very nice. They are very contrary, they don’t cooperate… and give them a chance and they’ll tax all of your patience! Oh, I folded my fitted sheet. But it was lumpy and bumpy and didn’t look as nice as the others. Still, there is only one fitted sheet in a set, and it’s just as important as the rest, because we actually sleep on that one.

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 12:12

I wonder, are you a flat sheet or a fitted sheet? Are you easy to deal with, even in a tough situation? Standing in the long line at Walmart, when the cashier is having trouble with her register, do you grumble, grouch, and become hard to deal with? Face it, some of us are not very nice. Some are contrary, and don’t cooperate. And if given the chance, many people will tax your patience. Like the frustrating fitted sheet, they are hard to deal with, turn out lumpy and bumpy, and their demeanor makes them not look as nice as others. But they are still useful to God.

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” ~2 Peter 3:9

For years, I grumbled and grouched. My husband even considered buying himself a hat that said, “I didn’t wake up grouchy this morning…I let her sleep!” He thought it was funny. I did not. I rallied that I was not grouchy. Although deep inside, I knew I was. But I had no idea how to fix it because I didn’t know what was causing it. However just before God healed me, through a message at church, He brought to my mind the years of mental and emotional scars that would cause me to suppress my feelings. When I would suppress them, it would build up until I became like the fitted sheet, lumpy, bumpy, and contrary. Because of oppression and intimidation, I was difficult to deal with.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing…” ~Philippians 2:14

But hallelujah, God is a God full of love and mercy. When I came to Him, God took me in and gave me a fresh start. He longs to do that with you, too. He longs to give you your heart’s desire. No matter if you are the pillow case, the flat sheet or the fitted sheet, you are useful. You have a purpose. You have a function. There is a place for you in God’s big sheet set. He can take you, fold you, smooth out the creases, lumps and bumps, making you something quite beautiful. All you have to do is let Him.

So tell me, are you a fitted sheet or a flat sheet?

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.