I can’t tell you how many handprints are smudged on these walls and how sweeping crumbs off floors is a loosing battle around here. Glass windows and doors are not clear and unmarked for long, nor are steel appliances. My temper and lack of patience is just as messy.
From a quick outside glance at other people’s lives you’d think some were perfect, but in reading further I’m reminded of struggles and pain others face, everyone does.
And I can see how fleeting time is, my babies growing almost-too-heavy-to-carry. I don’t want ongoing dirt and grime of life to distract from this disheveled beauty wild and alive right before me. But it’s hard to see glory in the chaos we daily make.
Maybe more importantly than what the distractions are, is the distraction from savoring life itself? Five years from now I could be working a desk job, along with having tweens, and during that stage Lord knows there’ll be a host of new challenges.
So it’s really less about what I’m struggling with as a mom to a 7, 5, and 3 year old — or the country I’m living in — quirks in the house we’re renting — things I long to pursue — it’s about finding the good and precious in life today and not letting current difficulties cover that.
Perhaps you have challenges in your ‘life stage’ covering the good right before you?
oh man, this is good stuff. preach is sister.
Thanks Sara, I’ve gotta keep telling myself this everyday!
I am there with you. I can get so frustrated when I want everything perfect and it doesn’t stay that way for long. I sit back and realize I have very unrealistic expectations (about my house staying clean,) but in the moment of frustration I forget all logic and do or say something I feel bad about later. Deep in my heart I know a mom is there to serve and I want to be a positive, selfless example to my kids. Sometimes I think I should post signs around reminding me to in everything give thanks, or some words to help me keep sight of the important things when I’m about to act crazy,lol. But this week I started writing out a mom commitment; one to my children, one to myself, and one to God. I hope to do better. Thanks for posting.
And here I am amazed at how clean your house is and how organized & together you have things…with 5 kids no less! I think that’s a great idea to put signs around your house, I bet you could make your own since you’re artsy. I guess most of us moms, regardless of how many kids we have, are just trying to do the best we can and stay positive, which is a daily, hourly challenge. : )