Random thoughts while I take a break from cleaning…
Do you ever notice that the mess looks way worse than it did before you started cleaning?
Such is life right.
The mess is staring you in the face, the outcome looks bleak, the frustration, overwhelm and anxious feelings start creeping in.
Throw in the towel now or press on and make progress, even if it’s just in baby steps?
Really the choice is ours. The choice has always been. We were given this gift of free will yet a lot of times we resent this gift. Why? Is it because we don’t want to be responsible for our actions?
Just like this mess that I’m cleaning up. It didn’t just appear (though that’s how it feels), the items that are strewn about were intentionally opened, scattered and then left. Maybe this should be a habit we start working on with the kids. Putting stuff away when we’re done. Finishing what we start. Taking care of our things. Being good stewards of our time, space and things. Wow, I need to work on ALL of these myself!
Back to the mess.
I will carry on and complete the task even if I know I will have to do it again. There’s just something about organizing and throwing things away that is both overwhelming and yet so freeing.
Which makes me think, do I do this cleaning so that I can feel good about myself? I haven’t ever received a gold star for my efforts. Maybe it’s a form of self care? Or maybe mental care? I would definitely agree with mental care.
I have seen some pretty amazing miracles happening around me lately and it’s pretty awesome to witness. I hear of things happening that is just a mess. The outcome looks bleak. Yet in my heart and my mind I think, “But God.” He works in the darkest moments. When everyone else has given up except the prayer warrior who has worn out their knees. But God. The One who spoke life into nothing. The One who is not restricted by the laws of man. But God.
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:3)
Do you believe in miracles? I’m sure you’ve seen some pretty amazing miracles in your life. Not coincidence. Not lucky. No, the universe was not on watch duty. The Maker of heaven and earth, that is Who causes miracles to happen.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
Alright! Let’s do this!
Back to the messy mundane that I am so blessed to call my home and that I pray feels like a haven to any and all who enter, but especially to my family.
These are my random yet not so random thoughts for today.
The mess.
Miracles.
A blessing.
I hope I am always able to look at the mess as a blessing.
Blessings,
Alaina
(562) 400-2579
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / YouTube
You can also find us on Google and YELP!
Orange County Birth Photographer, Los Angeles County Birth Photographer, Ontario Birth Photographer, Long Beach Birth Photographer, Birth Stories, La Mirada Birth Photographer, Home Birth, Water Birth, Hypno Birth
Thanks for this insight, Alaina. Let me add 2 Cor 12, “For my grace is sufficient for thee and my power is made perfect in weakness”. In other words, we humans try and fail but God heals, repairs, completes our work. Inadequacy on my part is ok as long as I try and realize that my imperfections are repaired by Him.
When confronted by a big task, like the seemingly overwhelming mess you illustrate, I say “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”. In other words start small, do something, make it better than it was. Do half, if that’s all you can. Perfectionism leads to an excuse to not do anything. Pick up some mess, even if you can’t pick it all up.
When I wonder whether I’m making any progress at all at work, where chaos and dragons attack, I remind myself “It would be worse if I wasn’t here”. Even if your softball team is down five runs in the ninth inning, the score would be worse if you weren’t pitching/fielding/catching at all.