The first time I recall learning about the Second of Law of Thermodynamics (and its partner entropy) was in Middle School. You remember, right? It’s basically the idea that everything has a tendency toward disorder and decay. In layman’s terms, we call it Murphy’s Law. If something can go wrong, it will. Russian playwright Anton Chekhov once quipped that “only entropy is easy.” We all know this to be true.
However, I think I know it to be true now in ways I did not understand in 7th grade! Oh, I memorized it then. I even thought I understood it. But, now, I have lived it.
This constant struggle to bring order and purpose to my home. To make my work productive and lasting. Scientists call it entropy. Theologians call it the result of the Fall – Adam ate the fruit and our work has been cursed and frustrating ever since.
Let me just state the obvious and say that it’s hard to make progress when everything tends toward disorder!
Oh, the piles. I just had my piles under control and all manner of paperwork safely filed just where it is supposed to go. How do I already have a cluttered mess again? I had laundry clean and folded and even ironed. And then the man-child came home from football practice – in the rain. Oh, and didn’t I just mow and weed a few days ago?
The truth is, you just can’t cheat entropy. Not this side of heaven.
This came home to me in a very clear way last week. I was tending to our patio furniture. The umbrella was a little green in places and needed cleaned. I had researched some suggestions on the internet and was going about my task (that Rick had asked me to take care of in June… yet another evidence of my tendency toward disorder but that is for another day). I had my bucket of warm, sudsy water mixed with vinegar and my soft bristled brush. The day was a fine one – unseasonably warm and clear for September in Ohio. I was so proud of myself.
Until the weather-worn fabric started to disintegrate and tear.
Now the umbrella is clean (well, kinda b/c I quit) but it has holes in it. Pretty much defeats the whole point of an umbrella, doesn’t it?
Similar issue with the chairs. A few years ago the fabric ripped so I put my domestic skills to good use and sewed new covers for them. They are slingback chairs that rely on a tension fit so I was a little nervous about making the covers and put it off endlessly. However, I did eventually conquer my fears and finish them. But not the cute little ottomans that go with them. Those I put off for two years until my poor husband was at his wits end waiting for me to act upon my environment and bring order to those darn chairs. I finally got the ottomans recovered (thanks to my accountability group) a few weeks ago.
Would you believe that two days later, when we went to sit down in that adorable little corner of the patio, that one of the (now weather-beaten) chairs ripped ?
To which I say, “Hurry back, Jesus.”
In the meantime, we’ll be saving for new patio furniture… and fighting the good fight against entropy in our little corner of the world.
