Have you ever heard anyone use the phrase “evidence of life,” to describe a mess? I heard it on a TV show recently and it was an elderly man describing all of the stuff he had accumulated and saved throughout the years. He was proud of what he had and explained that instead of it being a mess, it was simply evidence that he had truly lived. What an amazing way to look at things.
I often find myself getting frustrated with the messes in our house. The kids’ toys are almost always strewn about the living room. I have laundry stacked in the dining room. If there is a flat-surface there is likely something that doesn’t belong on it. It drives me crazy, especially after I see photos on social media of someone’s perfectly organized home. I have a tendency to compare my life to theirs and it causes resentment because I feel like I will never be able to achieve that level of serenity and perfection. And you know what? I may not and that’s okay.
My messes are evidence of life being lived in our home. The messes are evidence of the night-shift my husband works to protect and serve the communities we live in. They are evidence of the fact that I work out of the home 4 days a week and the rest of the time is spent doing my best to make sure the kids are fed and loved. The messes are evidence of my time spent following my dream of writing and helping other LEOWS feel better about navigating their own messes. They are also evidence of the fact that when we have time together as a family we use it intentionally to have fun and just be in the moment.
I’m not necessarily proud of the fact that my house is messy, but I am going to look at those messes a little differently from now on. I’m going to remind myself that we always have clean dishes to eat off of and the clothes are always clean even if they are still in baskets in the dining room. The toys in the living room are a beautiful reminder that we are able to provide for our kids and that they will always have something to play with. I will celebrate the little victories at the end of each day, even if the house is not exactly how I would like it to look. My life may not look like the next person’s but it is no less valuable or blessed. And neither is yours.
Next time you are feeling overwhelmed with life, I challenge you to look around at the messes, both physical and emotional, and see them just a little bit differently. All those messes are simply evidence of life and it’s likely a blessed life. Don’t ever forget that God loves you in all of your messy glory. I’m guessing that your LEO feels the same. Take some of the pressure off yourself. This LEO life is hard enough without piling on the need to have the perfect home as well. (If you have a perfect home, I am not bashing you for even a second. Please send all of your amazing hints and tips.)
Remember this Bible verse when you get overwhelmed: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Hand over that mess to God and allow Him to make it beautiful and while you wait, remind yourself it is evidence of life and that you have a home in which love lives.
l Michelle l