Skip to main content

Proof that Love Lives Here

On Wednesday I was wondering how anyone feels truly motivated to clean their house. I was thinking it seemed so pointless to clean something that would only get dirty again in minutes. But my dear friend Miss Sandy gave me some great perspective.

Heather,
I guess what works for me is to remember that any work I
do for my family is holy work. One day I was grumbling to my grandmother about
having to repeatedly clean up muddy boot prints off the floors I had just
cleaned. She was quiet for a moment and she said, "Sandy, I'll tell you this,
I'd give anything to be in your shoes. I'd gladly clean up any muddy boot prints
that were left on my floor with a smile and a prayer because that would mean
that Charlie (my uncle, her only son) would be alive and well and I would not
live in this house alone." I was quiet for a while and I told her she was right.

Her words made an impact on me and my attitude about repeat jobs. I asked myself
what would it be like not to have my dear loved ones, to be all alone and did I
really want a clean house or people to share it with. I actually found myself
photographing tiny smudges of hand prints left by my grandson on a frosty
window, a perfect muddy boot print left by my husband on the entry floor, and
crumbs on the counter where my daughter prepared her lunch!

I felt grateful for
every mess and for the opportunity to wipe them away, it is after all, holy
work. This phase of messiness with young children will pass and believe it or
not, you will miss it!

So, today I have prepared a photo collection entitled,
"Proof that love lives here..."

Because love is sometimes a little messy.




Smudges on my window...
Bright eyes eagerly seeking for God's presence outside that window





Superman Pajamas in the corner...
A happy exuberant boy




An overflowing laundry basket....
Three healthy bodies clothed warmly




Toys piled in the middle of a bedroom...
Fun, fun, fun!!!
Dishes and food upon the table...
Family time spent together filling our stomachs and souls.
Dishes and food on the table - that's quite normal.
Toys on the floor, acceptable,
clothes in the laundry, reasonable...
But, what's this under the table?
A cereal piece for the mouse?
And did you feel compelled to leave him a fork with which to eat as well?


Next, I thought I would capture a sweet picture of toothbrushes and toothpaste littering the bathroom counters, as they usually are. But, instead I found this....


No toothbrushes on the counter.
Um, that's a BAD sign.
And who was eating bacon in the bathroom?
I mean, really, there is a limit to multi-tasking people!!!
Proof that LOVE lives here (and not a magic cleaning fairy)!
Cleanliness is NOT next to godliness, but Love certainly is.

Comments

Patty said…
What a great GodStop. Convicitng and that is a GodStop. Wise words!! I LOVED how you showed pictures, what a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing your GodStop.
Have a wonderful and fun weekend.
Blessings,
Patty
I love it! Especially the bacon on the bathroom counter...eww! (wouldn't eat it if you paid me to!) Ha! Kids, gotta love them!

They can make you absolutely nuts and yet and fill you up to the very tippy top too!

Great God Stop Moment!

xoxo,
Melissa
Sita said…
Heather,
It's amazing how 'perspective' can transform what frustrates to what one is grateful for. This was precious and I do so love the pics. Like I told Valerie, they add depth to your posts. I've been finding that our 'peace of mind' is proportional to whom we are comparing ourselves. The majority of people in the Third World would die to have your 'messes'! Be blessed. Love, Sita
Leslie said…
Absolutely wonderful, Thanks for reminding us that our children will grow up tooooo fast.
Sandy said…
Oh Heather, I am positively weepy and my heart is filled with joy at seeing your perspective on the love living in your house! These pictures and your comments are priceless. I especially love the mouse food and the bacon on the bathroom sink!!! I wish I had those fearfully and wonderfully made tiny hands to make messes in my house! My "baby" is turning 20 in a couple of months, my son now has a son of his own, ah I well remember those marvelous messes! Have a happy weekend blessed friend!
Robbyn said…
Thank you for sharing! I am a little OCD and reading your thoughts has shed a whole new light on my struggle to clean the house after 4 boys. (One being my husband) Praise God for this mess my house is in!! I have always heard...No child grows up to say "I have the best mom because our house was always clean!"
Denise said…
Such a lovely God stop, bless you sweetie.
Fran said…
From one busy momma to another....I absolutely loved this and thank you for the sweet reminder!! :)

Blessings~
Fran
Unknown said…
CUTE! yep! That's real life!
Cecelia said…
What a sweet Godstop. I loved the pictures. It reminds us all that we are not alone in our messes ! Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,

Cecelia
Amy Wyatt said…
Thank you for this sweet reminder.
annette said…
Love your GodStop reminders to be grateful. I now have college kids home for a few days for spring break and this couldn't be a more timely reminder, when dishes and clothes stack up again--beats the devil out of a quiet house! Bless you, annie
Anonymous said…
Oh what memories. I can't believe that I am smling about this :) I am the proud mother of Irish Twins for those of you who aren't famliar with with this phrase---I was pregnent for 2 years with the exception of 5 weeks. Our Daughter was born when her Brother was only 11 months old.

He was walking at 6 months old and when he was about 16 months he was teaching his sister how to climb out of the crib by going down the side rail head first. All because he wanted to play with her.

These two precious bundles of joy are now healthy teenagers--one learning how to drive a car and the other one volunteering at the local pet shelter.

The house is definately a house of controlled clutter. At least they each do their own laundry :)

I love my life, my children and of course my hubby of 18 years---I should probably mention that we dated for 6 years before we took the plunge.
Amy Wyatt said…
Heather,
I have started a new Saturday meme. Please come by sometime and check it out. Hope you will join me and spread the word. Thanks.
Thanks for reminding me that I need to cherish this time! So often I forget!!!
Anonymous said…
Heather I had to laugh when I read your post. I know how you feel...like the clean house never stays that way. Speaking for myself, I just "feel better" when the house is clean. That's why I do it. Call it selfish, but it works.

Your perspective here is outstanding. Only happy, healthy kids can dirty a house. I had a friend whose 3 year old son needed a liver transplant. She longed for a rambunctious little boy! Of course after the transplant, she wondered what she was thinking!!

Next time I see the clutter my kids leave (like in 2 seconds!!) I will think of your perspective.

Isn't motherhood tiring...umm...I mean...fun!!
Anonymous said…
I was encouraged with this post. Thank you for sharing what your friend, Miss Sally, shared with you. I'm going to try to keep this perspective in the back of my mind!
Crystal Potter

Popular posts from this blog

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Phillip Yancey

Shannon, at Rocks in my Dryer , is hosting a huge giveaway! Isn't that exciting! I love to give something meaningful to my friends - as I shop, I always look for just the right item that fits our relationship and the individual's personality. So, if you stop by this little blog of mine, I think you might like this gift I've picked out. This fall, I have been nourished by the wisdom of Phillip Yancey in his recent book on prayer. Our Bible study has plumbed the depths of prayer with Yancey's help in this amazing book. My personal prayer life has been challenged and I have probed the deeper questions surrounding prayer with a beloved mentor. I would love for you to enjoy this book too. I'll be giving the book away to one blessed commenter. So, leave a comment here and I'll be drawing a name next week to give away this treasure box full of well-mined jewels from God's Word and life's experiences. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the draw

Thankful Thursday

A few things that fill my heart with gratitude... *Bright explosions in the sky *Bug repellent *Calamine and band aids for when we forget about the bug repellent (and the polka dot girl I put to bed each night whose sensitive skin seems to attract the little suckers) *Days spent at the beach *Life jackets *Aloe, although it can't take away a lobster red sunburn, it does soothe *Photographs and memories *The public library. My family has been enjoying plenty of summer library programs. *Ok, I'm even thankful for cockroaches. The kids sure had fun playing with the huge ones the "Bug Guy" Brought in for the last program we attended. They even ate a few bugs. (I am NOT joking!) I, on the other hand, found it conveniently necessary to excuse myself to the restroom right around the time the roaches and tarantulas were being brought out. *I'm thankful for a new job...which will be starting soon (more on that later). *Green slime, explosions, goggles and lab coats...yes,

In REAL Life

This week, I've been thankful for some "real" life fun with people I love. Here's ONE: Yesterday morning, the kids started the day out with some Karaoke fun. The first song requested was "Shine" by the Newsboys and I smiled as the kids bounced around in the family room to this song. Our little guy then asked for his favorite: Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. Don't ask me why. But hearing a three year old boy sing about big girls crying is just adorable. We progressed to "Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstill. I have no idea what she means (why not a black kitten and an apple tree?), but the kids love the "whoo-hoo" part and that's all that really matters. Whoo-hoo....whoo-hoo! And the last song, a favorite of all, "Mr. Roboto" by STYX. Oh yeah. We shine our light for Jesus in Robot style around our house. Three little robots marched around with jerky movements singing word-for-word the entire song. Here'