​Joy and Peace in a Messy House

Most days my house is pretty neat and tidy.  It may not be the most stylish or well decorated, but it is often clean and organized.  There are times when the house is so crazy neat that I almost feel bad about it when people come over; as if I might appear a little too perfect.  I have even purposefully left dirty dishes out to make people feel better (yeah, that kind of crazy).  However…

…today is not that day…nor have I seen one of those days in quite some time.

Currently, my vacuum has been standing in the front entry of my house ALL week because I plan to vacuum “soon”; the dust bunny colonies are beginning to organize themselves into cities.  I just started the dryer again to hopefully take the wrinkles out of clothes that I washed and dried three days ago.  The counter in my bathroom is turning strange colors of orange and green, it has been on my “to do” list for 12 days straight… it remains unchecked…and today's not looking good either.  I’m having trouble remembering when the boys had a bath last…they may soon turn strange colors too, let’s not talk about how they smell.  Has anyone fed the dog recently?  Has anyone seen the dog? 

So there you have it, a peak into my glamorous lifestyle.  You know what I have to say about all this?
 
Big deal, that’s life.  Get over it. 

God doesn’t love me less because my house is a mess and my kids are dirty.  Clutter is not a punishment for some lacking in spiritual discipline.  I’m not being outwardly punished for missing my “quiet time” with God this morning.  Matter of fact I had a great time in prayer and Bible reading this morning, and yesterday too.

Being a Christian does not equate to having things all together.  There are days when we are messy on the outside yet are well prioritized on the inside because we are attending to what matters.  There are also times when we are perfectly well-to-do looking on the outside when our insides are a mess.  Faking a peace that is not there.  I know which I would prefer, how about you?

When we are obedient to God there is no guarantee of life being neat and tidy either on the inside or the outside.  We still live in the same world we did before we became Christians.  God changes us, not our surroundings.  There are no special angels that guard against dust accumulation, give fashion advice, or remind the boys to shower (as cool as all of that would be!).  However, there are golden promises from God that will hold us together through it all and make this life truly worth the living, messy times and all.  Here are just a few precious nuggets:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

There is hope that abounds beyond this temporal world and we find that in Christ alone.  He is the one who holds us securely in his loving hands, never to be snatched away by the enemy or the literal messes he may throw at us (John 10:28, one of my personal favorite promises).  So the house may fall to shambles for a time, but my soul never will.  That is true peace.
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I guess I should wrap things up now, that dryer buzzer went off ages ago and the dog has turned up…he looks hungry.  So, ladies, I want to encourage you today, no matter how things look on the outside, if you are in Christ, you are okay.  In fact, you are beautiful, dust bunnies and all.