After recently blogging about some hymns and prayers that I sing and say to myself for a hygienic 20-second handwash, I found a site where you can plug in your favorite hymn or song and see how it translates into an illustration, accompanied by lyrics, of all the steps of a thorough cleaning. You can even download, print out and post the illustration next to your sink.
So if you need some newfound inspiration while you wash, try some of my favorites. Maybe they’re yours, too:
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
I tried this one first. Seemed like it’d go with that old saying that “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I even went into the second verse, “though the darkness hide thee…” A good reminder that God is present even if our dark thoughts prevent us from finding Him.
“Jesus Loves Me!”
I remember loving this one in Sunday School when I was a kid, especially that refrain, “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.” The man who in one of His last acts on earth washed His own followers’ feet, certainly loves us and is with us as we wash away our worries.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Gosh, these so familiar lyrics take on new meaning in today’s context. “Our helper He amidst the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” Talk about ills. Isn’t that just why we’re washing our hands? “And He must win the battle” comes just as you’re rinsing your hands! Amen to that.
“How Great Thou Art”
There’s something poignant about considering the awesome wonder we experience when we “consider all the works Thy hands have made,” washing our own hands all the while. “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art.” Yes, indeed.
Almost 2000 years ago the apostle Paul urged us to pray “without ceasing.” The medical authorities seem to be telling us to wash our hands without ceasing, too. Might as well bring Paul’s advice and some music to the project. May your spirit and soul rejoice as you take good care of yourself. Prayers for you.
