As I’ve noted in the “About Us” section, my house is never clean enough for my liking. Never. And I used to be even more neurotic about it until Stephen gave me a gentle yet stern warning that if I didn’t let up a little, it would kill us all. Ok, point taken. Some would look around and say that maybe I’ve let a few too many things go. Possibly. It’s just such a hard balance most of the time! It seems like things never get finished. Projects are always in limbo, which inevitably creates another pile or stack, which leads to more clutter, which leads to heart palpitations for me. It seems like we are constantly under construction of some sort.
At least two times a year, this intensifies greatly. It is a time that I dread because not only is it painful, but it creates the biggest mess that just won’t go away. Changing out the kids warm and cold weather clothes. It creates multiple piles of sell, donate, save for someone else, and throw away. Times two kids. And then there’s always the Mother Nature curve ball of the 80 degree day in November or the 40 degree day in April. So I feel like I have to keep the out of season clothes at least accessible for a while before they are permanently put away. Throw in making the kids try on a bunch of stuff to see if it fits and it’s some fun times.
In conjunction with my mess, this season Stephen has started a construction project of some grout work in our shower. For now, all four of us are using the kids shower. That means I get to try and work my way through the clothing piles as I trapse wet through the hallway after showering in the kids’ bathroom. And notice I said “started” the project. So far all he’s done is let our shower thoroughly dry so he can do the work at a future, yet to be determined date. Part of our 12 Step Program, I guess. However, it’s not optional and it all needs to be done.
I say all of this because it seems never ending. Why is it that my house is always under construction? Mostly, I think that’s just how life is. Especially when you’re raising your kids and they are young. I say that now, but I figure that after the kids are gone there will be other things then as well that will keep us tied up and in a perpetual state of “when I finish this . . .” Meanwhile, we just continue to do the best we can and hope the stacks and piles don’t get so high that we can’t step over them.
I think it’s a lot like that in our spiritual lives as well. I know I am certainly still under construction. God is constantly molding and shaping me to be more Christ-like. More of the person He wants me to be. Quite honestly, it’s not always pleasant. More often than not, it is outright painful and uncomfortable. But it is all part of His glorious plan, and He never lets the piles get so big that He can’t help us over them. And it will continue as long as I am here on this earth until, one day, I will finally meet Jesus and His work in me will be complete! That gives me hope. Not only hope of a functioning shower, but hope of what is to come. Until then, please be patient with me if you happen to stop by and there is laundry on the sofa, or you feel the urge to sign your name in the dust on the furniture. Our home is under construction, and so am I.
