Sunday, February 6, 2011

Messy

My friend came over for lunch last week while the big boys were in school and Judah napped so we could celebrate her birthday.  She commented, "Your house is so clean every time I come over.  I can't even keep up in our house and it's just the two of us." 

Ummm...of course it was clean.  I knew she was coming over. 

At pretty much any other given moment, this is what my house looks like:



So often I feel like people have the idea that because I almost always have a smile on my face that I "have it all together".  What does that even mean?  Children are messy.  I am messy. Family is messy. Relationships are messy.  Life is messy. NOBODY has it all together.  Some of us are just better at pretending and hiding than others.   

Perfection looks like Jesus.  Period.  When I start comparing my life to anyone else's, I become dissatisfied. I want the things they have while they're wanting what I have.  I wish I could do the work that she does while she just wants to stay home.  I try to mimic his personality while he's trying to be someone else entirely.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1Tim. 6:6)  Everybody gains something when I keep my eyes on Jesus.  I will be the very best version of me when I don't try to be like anyone else but Him. I know this, and yet, I forget.  And the messiness starts to bother me.  

I have to keep reminding myself that if I didn't have the "messy" I wouldn't have the children, the family, the relationships, the life.  What fun is that?

6 comments:

Whitney Duvall said...

Amen to that!

Kristy said...

Thank you for this!

Paula said...

I don't complain about our messes here at home because I'm grateful for a home in which we can be messy. I totally appreciate this entry!

Christy Ward said...

I like this!! In my mama's bible group we often remind each other, "Comparison is the thief of joy". And thanks for showing your messy house!! Right now, I have half a carton of dry macaroni noodles on the floor in my kitchen and crayons and legos scattered on the floor in my den.....

Lauren said...

That is a great point! I love that; thank you for sharing!

The Journey said...

Really great post! I struggle with feeling like I'm supposed to have it together. It can get overwhelming trying to be who you think you should be. I liked how you said that in Christ you are the best version of you. This really encouraged me! Thanks!