Some days (most actually) I feel like the character Pig-Pen from Peanuts. You know, the one who has the dirt cloud swirling around him wherever he goes. I don’t have actual dirt blowing around but a whirlwind of chaos. I am the most organized, unorganized person on the planet. See I love the concept of ultra organization. I love making lists. Those free house keeping printables make me swoon. De-cluttering tutorials make me absolutely giddy with delight….but alas although I am an excellent planner, my follow-through is pathetic.
I once joined one of those “mom” websites. You know the ones that promise to “Help You Get Organized and Clean Your House by Following a Few Basic Routines!” Well, I had to discontinue my membership because I was having murderous and extremely unchristian thoughts about the authors. Just for fun, here’s their instructions followed by what my actual routine was:
And so, as you can see, I had to cancel my membership with the site. The guilt that it brought for the first 45 minutes of every day was just too much. Things have improved however, and not because I cancelled my membership. How did I do this you ask? What website or self-help guru did I use?? Simple. The Hubby has been getting up with the kids in the mornings these days and into this chaos he has inserted calm. That’s no surprise because that’s what he does in my life. He’s always managed to calm my stormy seas. I don’t know how single moms do it. I have a profound and deep respect for them. The Hubby is my anchor. The one I can always count on to bring clarity and sanity into my situation.
I heard a commercial recently that annoyed me. It was for diamond engagement rings and the announcer was asking, “Don’t you want to give her a ring that is one of a kind so that she will know that you are one of a kind?” Ladies, if you are basing your engagement and marriage on the ring your significant other is giving you, I can guarantee you things are not going to go well. My ring is beautiful but I know my Hubby is one of a kind because I’ve seen the character and loyalty that defines him. I’ve watched him tenderly cradle our newborns, change diapers, and kiss boo-boo’s. He’s held my hand and my heart as I bled and miscarried our 4th baby last year. He’s loved me when I was unlovable. And of course he’s always leading us, encouraging us, always pointing us to the One who is Lord of all. Then it’s the little things that do it for me these days. Catching a glimpse of him loading the dishwasher. The hot mug of coffee he presses into my hand without me ever asking. The feel of his hands running through my hair after an exceptionally long day. Murmurs in the night that he still finds me beautiful and desirable after 40, after 4 kids, and after time has embedded her crows feet and laugh lines across my face.
My life is chaotic and it’s not slowing down as we prepare to welcome one more into the mix in June. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I am a blessed woman. It’s true that I don’t make pintrest worthy crafts with my kids and Betty Crocker I am not. But my hope is that when the Coconuts are grown, they will remember only that their mother thought they hung the moon (most days). That although our house was chaotic and noisy, it was also filled with peace, love, and the light of Christ. Finally, my deepest prayer is that they simply remember that they had two parents who were crazy about each other and them and who did their best to lead them to the Master by living by example.
Conversations With Coconuts 