As Julie is away enjoying some cherished family vacation time, she has asked me to guest post here today. It is an honour to share this space with her as she is a dear kindred spirit. Her zest for life and passion for Jesus is contagious and I give thanks that God has weaved the two of us together over the thousand of miles in between.
Love & Grace,
~Manda
As I watch colourful piles of laundry grow and dust forms blankets on dark tables, I sense the endless mess, here. My daily efforts fading.
It is constant. And rarely am I ahead of it.
Can you ever be ahead of the mess?
I breathe heavy and sigh. This exasperated Mama could always be "doing" something to busy herself, cleaning dirt.
There is laundry to wash, dry, fold, and put away. Toothpaste splattered sinks colored with pink bubblegum flavour that need wiping. Crumbs’ crunching under foot need to be swept, after peanut butter toast is eaten at breakfast. Piles of school papers, crafts, and mail float on top of surfaces which need sorting, signing, and recycling.
Life is lived in this space and we are a messy people.
My home gets dirty.
And my heart does too.
I'll never get it all right, figure it all out, or be ahead of my mess. I can wash myself up, look all proper and clean, and still have muck that needs scrubbing in the depths. Living polished, while desperate to live exposed as His wounded, broken-one. Bringing truth to the world that life and hearts get filled with grim and stain.
We are messy people, searching behind the facade and veneer for our redeemer. Ultimately we yearn for Jesus, the one who touched down from heaven, to mend the filthy fractured heart. His Holy hands that clean out cluttered closets, cobwebs, and dusty corners in our sacred places. Revealing the blessed comfort in His work when living surrendered to our own vain attempts. Finding joy in the sanctification He gives us, as replacement of our disheveled hearts.
Mess happens.
And when I know I can hand over my foul heart into the safety of His counsel, receive His deliverance and redemption, then I can handle the mess in my home as Jesus handles the mess in my heart!
3 comments:
Amen my dear sister! I do not know you, but we are sisters in the faith and I have to say, that what you wrote really encouraged me today :)
I'm SO glad that it did, Valerie... May God continue to shine through and bless our mess!
Manda,
What a dear and beautiful friend you are! Thank you for posting this gem of beauty and truth. Love you much and so grateful for you and your shining heart for Jesus!
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