It is Hand Washing Day! (If you are reading this on October 15).
Who knew . . . Well, I didn’t. I suppose you could still wash your hands if it is past the day . . .
October 15 is officially hand-washing day. I found out this morning, October 15, as I listened to a morning prayer online. Wikipedia confirmed it, here’s the proof:
Global Handwashing Day is an international handwashing promotion campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their handwashing habits. Washing hands at critical points during the day and washing with soap are both important. Global Handwashing Day occurs on 15 October of each year. Wikipedia
Do you ever wonder who the officials are who create official days? What meets the criteria? Who pays them for such important decisions? I find it quite fascinating and even amusing.
Of course we know hand washing is critical to health. In a global pandemic this has become even more important.
When I received my volunteer training at the hospital where I work as a chaplain, we had a hand-washing exercise. We washed, then put our hands under special lights which revealed all we had missed. It was quite shocking.
We humans can tend to do things by rote, automatically. These days we are forced to rethink many things, even how we wash our hands and how often. We have become more mindful.
I had fun writing my little book for kids about bugs which includes a page on washing your hands. I am so thankful to the hospital auxiliary who has helped me to purchase a supply of these booklets for kids at the hospital. I started this project before the pandemic but it seems even more important now.
What’s Bugging You book cover
Wash those hands
Page in What’s Bugging You
Handwashing was an important religious ritual in Biblical times. There is a fascinating story of Jesus in the gospel of Luke (11) where he used criticism of his own hand-washing to illustrate a much larger problem – we also need to clean our hearts and minds. So true.
So I want to be mindful today – as I wash my hands. Not just on October 15 but for every day! 🙂
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10
If you are interested in purchasing these booklets for your kids or grandchildren, contact me – say you’ve read this post and I will include a free child’s mask (while supplies last) made by one of my dear friends. $4 each, minimal shipping costs if you live outside of Vernon, or free pick-up in Vernon. Contact me at: grace@gracewulff.com
