I walked swiftly across my kitchen floor, and immediately the feeling of crushing particles were felt under my foot. I sighed to myself in a growing frustration, and thought, didn’t I just take care of this?!
Indeed, the day before I had spent a large amount of time sweeping and mopping my floors, and I stood dumbfounded as I stared at the large pile I had collected via broom in my kitchen floor. After less than twelve hours it had gone from clean back to being unable to walk barefoot without stepping on food.
I felt livid, and the longer I looked at the abnormally large, crumb pile I felt my anger swell. But then it stopped. Because then I looked at the mound of mess in a different way. For some odd reason instead of seeing work for me, I saw proof of the life that lay before me. And it wasn’t one of constant sweeping. Well, it was. But it was also one of immense blessing.
So as I swept the evidence of my children’s presence into a dustpan I thought of it just like that. It was a solid representation of the gift I had at my fingertips, and in my lap. Even if they were messy.
And I said, “Thank you for the trash, Lord. It shows that we have plenty.”
Thank you for the sink full of dishes, Lord. It means we have enough to eat.
Thank you for the rolled-up pair of discarded, men’s socks on the living room rug. It means I have a husband present here for me to love.
Thank you for the ring around the tub, Lord. It shows I have happy, healthy children who are able to go outside to run, play, and get really dirty.
Thank you for all the laundry, Lord. As I fold it into different piles I see how many children you have given to me.
Thank you for a husband who gets home so late, Lord. It shows me how hard he works to provide for our family.
Thank you for toys all over the living room floor, Lord. It reminds me that we are able to provide material possessions for our children. Even if sometimes we buy too much.
Thank you for long, exhausting days with the children. It reminds me how blessed I am to be able to stay home with them.
Thank you for all the repetitive days of cooking and cleaning, Lord. It shows me how blessed I am to be able to have the time and energy to serve my family in that way.
Thank you for bills, Lord. Each month you show me how you can provide.
Thank you when things do not always go my way, Lord. It reminds me that your way is so much better.
Thank you for my messy home, Lord. It is messy, but it is mine. It is filled with toys and dirty laundry, but it is also filled with love. In fact, it overflows.
Thank you for crumbs on my feet and cranky babies in my lap. It reminds me that happiness comes in all shapes and sizes, but the life you have chosen for me is just right. And I thank you for it.