I walk past their room on my way downstairs and do a double take. My oh my. I just had a talk with them yesterday about how they need to do a minimum amount of clean-up in their room, at least enough so I’m not taking my life in my hands by walking across the floor. They assured me they’d get ‘r done, but I don’t see much difference.
I descend the stairs to find the living room doesn’t look much better. Couch and love seat have transformed into two forts, the girl’s jewelry making string and beads lie all over. {The only thing more frustrating than stepping on legos? Stepping on endless microscopic-yet-somehow-painful beads.} I shake my head and escape the chaos by making a chai latte, grabbing my new Southern Living, and heading to the front porch. I flip through a whopping two pages before Faith and two of her friends find me outside, wanting nothing other than to chat. I feel that sigh rising in my chest, the hurried kind that too often escapes. The kind that says, “You are messing with my peace and I need you to go away.” But this time, the sigh does a u-turn. I breathe in deep and remember kids making messes and talking {and talking and talking} means they feel this home is safe, warm, and relaxed. And I really like that.
If I want a quiet, perfectly arranged home, perhaps I should move into a museum. Quiet and orderly? Yes. Safe to relax in? No.
Sometimes real peace looks like sunsets, favorite magazines, and quiet breezes. But sometimes we need to accept a more messy peace. And for those times, real peace looks like chaotic bedrooms and chatty girls.
I’m learning to be at peace with that.
I love that phrase “messy peace”!!
And I know exactly what it feels like to step on those little beads. :/
It just feels messy sometimes, doesn’t it? Thank you for being here, Lisa.
This is so right on! And today I needed to read it 🙂 I have two girls (with endless beads! I feel you pain- literally!) that also talk all day and I have to remember that their feeling free and safe is as important as my quiet time. Balance is key, but I need to remember their side of the balance, too. Thanks for a new way to look at it!
Yup, balance is important, and I still need my own time, too. But I love how you say we “…need to remember their side of the balance, too.” Beautiful perspective in that sentence, Susanna. Thank you.
We must have a reaaaaaally safe home!! 🙂
Ha! Love that.
Oh, wow, this is so true. I needed this encouragement today – as I just told my five-year-old that yes, we will make a craft shortly but Mom just needs five minutes to herself with her iPad (to read this post, which reminds me to put down the iPad). Thanks, Kristen!
Hey friend, there ain’t nothin’ wrong with taking some time for yourself. And I’m not just saying that because of *what* you were reading. 😉
You’re a great mama, Becky. Have a wonderful weekend!
So, so very true. No one wants to live in the peace of a museum, afraid of every move. It’s nice to visit, but that’s about it.
🙂