The background to "Ivory Soap", the "soap which floats" is not known by most. The interesting story behind this unique soap is that it was not originally designed to be a new kind of soap that floats, but was the result of a factory foreman's lunch hour.

"One morning in 1878, thirty-two-year old Harley Procter decided that the soap and candle company founded by his father should produce a new, creamy white, delicately scented soap, one to compete with the finest imported castile soaps of the day. Procter's cousin James Gamble, a chemist, soon produced the desired product. Named simply White Soap. . . . (It) was not yet christened Ivory, nor did it then float.

Soap production began and the product sold well. One day, a factory worker overseeing soap vats broke for lunch, forgetting to switch off the master mixing machine. On returning, he realized that too much air had been whipped into the soapy solution. Reluctant to discard the batch, he poured it into hardening and cutting frames, and bars of history's first air-laden, floating soap were delivered to regional stores. . . . The factory was swamped with letters requesting more . . . . Harley Procter and James Gamble ordered that all White Soap from then on be given an extra-long whipping."1

That mistake in 1878 produced a product that has lasted to this day. There are many events which come into our lives that seem like, from our initial vantage, mistakes and disasters. However, time and experience give us a vantage on some of those seeming mistakes and tragedies. Those seeming disasters which are still never fully understood, and which are questioned as to their worth and place in our lives, will all be seen clearly in eternity. What seems like a job lost turns into a greater work opportunity. What looks like an accident causing financial loss become a financial benefit. A lost relationship causing pain becomes an occasion to go new and better directions.

The Bible teaches that "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28). God is able to use the blunders and mistakes which litter our lives along with the many other events which He has planned and purposed to occur and which may equally seem like disasters and tragedies, and blend them all together for our good. We cannot determine whether an event is good or bad until we wait to see what God is going to bring out of it all. Have you found yourself delayed by taking the wrong road or by experiencing an automobile breakdown only to find out later that there was a terrible car accident down the road on which you were driving? Have you ever said to yourself, it wasn't for the my wrong turn or that flat tire I might have been in that accident? What you thought was a mistake or a hazard is now seen in a different light. If you are struggling with a difficult event in your life can I challenge you to just trust the wisdom and love of God. God is too wise to make a mistake and too loving to create unnecessary pain.

The final chapter in the story of Ivory Soap was that it was so well received that the company was deluged with orders for this new floating soap. The foreman was not fired but promoted. Next time you purchase or use Ivory Soap, remember, it seemed like a blunder but it turned into a financial blessing. Never forget, good does come from what we thought was bad. God works with us and turns our blunders into blessing and promotions.

When you cannot see His hand, trust His heart.

1 "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things" -- pg. 218