Rosa placed her clothes in the washing machine, inserted six quarters, and started the machine. She took a seat in one of the plastic chairs, next to an older woman who was knitting.

“Hello,” the woman said, putting down her needles. “I’m Mimi. I haven’t seen you here before.”

“Rosa. I just moved into the apartment building across the street this week. No laundry room in the building.”

“No, there’s not,” Mimi said.

“Do you live there too?” Rosa asked.

“Oh, no. I live across town. But I’ve been coming here for years.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Rosa said. “I’m getting out of that apartment as soon as possible. I’m saving everything I can. I want a house of my own. I hate having to pack up my clothes and cart them to the laundromat.”

Mimi raised her eyebrows. “Do you really think it’s so bad?”

Rosa shrugged. “I guess not, but still. Wouldn’t you rather stay home to do your laundry?”

Mimi’s lips curved into a smile but she didn’t answer the question. “Tell me about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell. I have three brothers and a sister. There wasn’t any money for college. I’m taking classes at the community college while working at the bank. I’m hoping to be an accountant someday. I’ve always been good with numbers.”

Mimi beamed at her. “I’m sure you are. Is there a special fellow in your life?”

By the time Rosa needed to put her whites in the dryer, she’d told the older woman practically her entire life’s story. When she returned to the row of chairs, Mimi had unloaded her clothes from the dryer and was packing up her knitting. “Goodbye, Rosa,” she said. “I hope to see you here again soon.”

A moment later, Rosa’s next-door neighbor Rico entered the laundromat. He dropped his bag of clothes and embraced Mimi. “How are you?”

Mimi beamed up at him. “I’m well. Thank you. It’s good to see your handsome face.”

Rico grinned. He picked up Mimi’s basket and carried it outside, presumably to Mimi’s car.

Rosa stared after him. Rico had seemed like the introverted type when she’d run into him previously, but he clearly had a soft spot for Mimi. When he returned, he approached her. “So, you met Mimi?”

Rosa laughed. “You could say that. For some reason, I ended up telling her my life’s story.”

“She’s a special lady.”

“I feel sorry for her. At her age, she shouldn’t have to lug her laundry across town.”

“She doesn’t have to,” Rico said.

“I don’t understand.”

“Mimi lives in a tidy little home in a lovely neighborhood. Her son is a lawyer and bought it for her. She has a washer and dryer. When the weather is bad, she’ll use the machines in her house.” Rico loaded his clothes into the washer as he spoke.

“So why on earth does she come here?”

“For us.”

Rosa stared at Rico, confused. “For us?”

“She loves meeting with people here. Couldn’t you tell? The best thing is, she prays for everyone she meets. I know my life is blessed because of her.”

Matthew 5: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

God, please help us live our lives in such a way that we can bless others. Help us to meet people where they are, whether it’s at work, in our neighborhood, or even at the laundromat. You put people into our lives for a reason. Please help us to always do our best to share Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.