Thought of this verse several times this week as I was cleaning:"Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean..." Proverbs 14:4
During spring cleaning, we scrubbed away the remnants of the past year - and now, instead of worrying that my house will get messy again (due to the normal wear and tear of family living) I'm ready for what lies ahead - the new messes: the new clothes that will find their way into drawers and laundry room baskets (and bottoms of closets), the new hobbies and crafts that will fill closet containers (and get left all over the house), the new sheet music that will be wrestled over and learned (and stuffed into bookcases), the new books bought and read, the new meals that will be cooked and enjoyed around our dining room table... and I'm looking forward to the new "us" that will be making all those messes.
As I sorted through clothes for the kids - weeded out unwanted and outgrown outfits - organized all kinds of crafts and hobbies: knitting, crocheting, quilting, painting, sewing, baking, musical instruments... and washed down a house that's seen a lot of living this past year, I found myself reflecting on what all this mess means.
I spent time this week being grateful for my house. It's been too easy in the past to be dissatisfied with all the things that need work or repair- or be unhappy with our neighborhood. But last week, as we rode the train to Long Beach and traveled past miles and miles of poverty in LA, I was freshly provoked to remember how fortunate we are. We, by the grace of God, are able to own a home in California - and didn't lose it like so many have with the housing collapse. I'm thankful to have a house to clean!
As I pulled away the stove from the wall, (yuk!) I thought about (1) all the meals that have been cooked and shared in this kitchen this past year - and having a family to share evening dinners with and (2) having four girls in the house who actually like to cook and bake - and be domestic. Yes, they still need to learn not to drip pancake batter down the side of the stove when they make pancakes - but instead of getting upset about a few spills, I remembered all the good times we had in the kitchen making meals and trying new recipes - cooking, eating and laughing together.
Sorting through clothes - makes me realize how much the girls have changed in the past year. Throwing away old toys and little girl dresses and too small ballet leotards, marks the end of a season of life for me and the beginning of a new season for our family.
After spring cleaning, our house is sparkling and nearly perfect- everything is washed and organized. It's tempting to not want anyone to come in and dirty a dish or take a bath or start a craft for fear of messing it up and "spoiling" my hard work. But "where there are no oxen (kids?) the manger (house?) is clean." My house will be clean for just about 2 seconds. Forget trying to have ALL the rooms perfect at the SAME time! But that's okay...
I'm called to take care of and love this big family. I'm not called to keep a perfect house - my manger is full= Lots of kids. Big family. Lots of mess. How sad to have a clean, perfect, empty house.
I spent time this week being grateful for my house. It's been too easy in the past to be dissatisfied with all the things that need work or repair- or be unhappy with our neighborhood. But last week, as we rode the train to Long Beach and traveled past miles and miles of poverty in LA, I was freshly provoked to remember how fortunate we are. We, by the grace of God, are able to own a home in California - and didn't lose it like so many have with the housing collapse. I'm thankful to have a house to clean!
As I pulled away the stove from the wall, (yuk!) I thought about (1) all the meals that have been cooked and shared in this kitchen this past year - and having a family to share evening dinners with and (2) having four girls in the house who actually like to cook and bake - and be domestic. Yes, they still need to learn not to drip pancake batter down the side of the stove when they make pancakes - but instead of getting upset about a few spills, I remembered all the good times we had in the kitchen making meals and trying new recipes - cooking, eating and laughing together.
Sorting through clothes - makes me realize how much the girls have changed in the past year. Throwing away old toys and little girl dresses and too small ballet leotards, marks the end of a season of life for me and the beginning of a new season for our family.
After spring cleaning, our house is sparkling and nearly perfect- everything is washed and organized. It's tempting to not want anyone to come in and dirty a dish or take a bath or start a craft for fear of messing it up and "spoiling" my hard work. But "where there are no oxen (kids?) the manger (house?) is clean." My house will be clean for just about 2 seconds. Forget trying to have ALL the rooms perfect at the SAME time! But that's okay...
I'm called to take care of and love this big family. I'm not called to keep a perfect house - my manger is full= Lots of kids. Big family. Lots of mess. How sad to have a clean, perfect, empty house.
During spring cleaning, we scrubbed away the remnants of the past year - and now, instead of worrying that my house will get messy again (due to the normal wear and tear of family living) I'm ready for what lies ahead - the new messes: the new clothes that will find their way into drawers and laundry room baskets (and bottoms of closets), the new hobbies and crafts that will fill closet containers (and get left all over the house), the new sheet music that will be wrestled over and learned (and stuffed into bookcases), the new books bought and read, the new meals that will be cooked and enjoyed around our dining room table... and I'm looking forward to the new "us" that will be making all those messes.
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