My House Isn’t Messy…It’s Custom Designed by My Children!

A memory I have from my childhood home is this cross-stitch piece my mom created. It hung lovingly on our kitchen wall and it said, “There will be time for cleaning and cooking but children grow up when you aren’t looking.” As a kid, this didn’t have as strong a meaning to me as it did once I started to have children.

Looking back on when my kids were young, I especially remember the never ending pile of laundry, the constant flow of dishes, and the continuous flood of toys brought out from bedrooms. It didn’t seem to matter when you cleaned up, a minute later it was messy again. In fact, I often called our main living area the Bermuda Triangle because of the way the small area seemed attract clutter and chaos.

There were times where that mess truly made me feel stressed and life felt chaotic. I felt like I had no control over the simple things, such as a clean spoon for my coffee in the morning, a shirt to put on that was suitable to wear and a floor I could walk over without fear of stepping on a small lego or doll’s shoe.

BUT, there were also those moments that we still talk about today. One favorite game was the Little People town that included absolutely every structure, person and accessory that we owned. They would play for days in the town, making up stories and moving things around. Another favorite game was the “store.” This is where each of them had a blanket and brought out practically everything they had in their room to “sell.” When I say everything, I mean toys, clothes, books-I think they would have brought out the lamps and dresser if they could! The sale went on for days. Several other “games” that were played involved ships, castles, a forest and all included the use of a large area of the room with many toys and other items.

Friend, in those moments, I wanted to have them pick that mess up every evening, but they were so into the story they were telling that I just couldn’t. So instead, I tried remembering that cross-stitch saying from my childhood kitchen. I reminded myself that someday this cute foursome of children under the age of five would be older, there wouldn’t be play and toys and the house would be TOO quiet. It was then that I would pray for help to remember these sweet moments instead of being frustrated at the mess.

Today, with those four children now grown, my house is much more organized and stays clean (most) of the time. I even have a schedule for when things get cleaned! And while I do enjoy it, there are moments when it gets very quiet and I miss those chaotic days filled with laughter and joy.

If you find yourself in this time of your life where things feel chaotic and seem to be a never ending mess, I would like to pray for you today.

Dear God, I pray that you would be with this tired parent as they navigate the days ahead. I ask that you give them a set of magic glasses to see memories instead of mess and feel love instead of a heavy load. Most of all help them enjoy this time that will all too soon be gone. Amen.

If you would like me to pray for you and your current chaotic situation, please reach out to me and let me know.

Have a messy house story? Feel free to leave a comment about it.

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Also be on the look out for my next blog where I will talk about those not so good parenting moments that leave you feeling less than.