Things are pretty exciting at Mama Henley's house today! My two BFFs from Dallas are on their way to visit Tampa! I can't wait to show them our beautiful town! They are leaving behind a blizzard to be welcomed by sun and 79*F!! Can you believe it?!
As I have been cleaning the house and getting ready for them, I've had time to think. Our house is very full. That must be quite obvious to you since we have been blessed with 5 little ones. Perhaps I should say our home is overflowing. It is overflowing with love and laughter and joy and tears and squeals and screams and stuff. A lot of the stuff is mine...paper paper paper. I purge and purge but my piles are still here. Some of the stuff is the constant laundry that must be folded and put away.
I had a little discussion in my head about what is most important. Yes, by all means, I want our house to be welcoming, uncluttered, and pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately, I have found it difficult to keep our home complete uncluttered. I do try. I fight the clutter bugs every day. But, with no playroom and young children, our house seems to be full of toys and creations.
Some days I respond to the toys and stuff in the wrong way. I scream and beg for it to be removed. Other days I see it as a welcome blessing. There were years where we thought we'd never have even one baby. What a miracle that we now parent 5! It is true that we have many boxes in our garage, that sometimes backpacks overpower the world, and that I can't keep our house perfect no matter how hard I try.
But the Lord is teaching me an important lesson. The things of this world are fine, but my focus should not be on having House Beautiful. My focus should be on the Lord first in ALL things, then my precious husband, and finally on loving and molding our children and teaching them about Him. The hours that my hands toil are worth nothing if I have no eternal value. My love for orderliness and longing for pats on the back about my perfect house can often be idols for me. The Bible tells us that we should have no other idols before HIM. What idols have a stronghold in your life? How can you pray for the Lord to loosen their stronghold in your life and to turn your heart to Him?
Season’s Greetings, or Saturday Morning at 8:40am
16 hours ago
6 comments:
I love this. We have so much stuff already with just Evie. It's going to get a lot worse or better depending on my perspective. I have thought about turning my DR into a playroom but I am such a rule follower and cannot commit to that right now. Enjoy the weekend with your friends. Carl will be in Tampa next week for work.
I'm with you...sometimes we get so caught up in the BUSY "ness" that we don't stop to think what He is saying to us. Your children are still very young...trust me, it all comes together in due time. Enjoy your friends visit, enjoy your children and husband....don't concern yourself about the PAPERS and such!
PS loved how you said " I had a conversation in my head"!
Enjoy the weekend with your friends! What a nice reminder to not let all of the little things get in the way of HIM. This weather is beautiful : )
Thanks for this reminder. We are celebrating my son's birthday this weekend and I work overtime to get the house clean. I appreciate you post because it reminds me to not worry so much, but instead sit back and enjoy. We normally close off the front two rooms of our house when it is so cold. I've made an executive decision to keep them closed off for the party and not even clean them- just pray nobody dare goes in. Enjoy your weekend.
You sound like you are doing a Beth Moore study!!! I have many, many strongholds...
What a great post honey. Such a blessing to have this problem. lol
I do understand though we all get overwhelmed sometimes with too much. Whats really funny is I was going to tell you I was having a giveaway. hahaha
Enjoy your company from Big D believe me all they want is warmth.
I know I live in Texas too
Love ya
Maggie
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