Beautiful Chaos

I've finally come to terms with the fact that our home has been, for the past 7 weeks, and will continue for awhile to be, well...chaotic.  I am SO thankful for the wiser, older moms in my life that speak truth into the not-so-pretty areas that I so desperately need truth spoken into.  Things like....it's ok that your house never feels "picked up" for more than an hour at a time....don't wish the time away, they will be grown up and leaving for college before you can even believe it....give grace to your toddler...and on and on.  And to be quite honest, I've been in a bit of a spiritual funk since Silas has been born.  My time in the Word has been so spotty and as a result, my attitude has not reflected the Spirit that resides inside of me.  Thanks be to God who offers new mercies every single morning (Lamentions 3:23).  Because of Christ, I know that all of these things are given to me as gifts - the changing of diapers, the pile of dirty dishes and dirty laundry and dirty everything, the 2 year old tantrums that expose my daughter's need for a Savior again and again & give me eyes to see what we need to work on, the dog whimpering to go outside making me weary at yet another voice needing my attention.  They are all gifts.  Gifts that are currently adding to my beautiful chaos.

This morning's daybrightener on my daily flip calendar was an echo to this theme and I absolutely love it:

"Whether it is the unexpected emergencies that throw our lives for a loop or the chaotic beauty we invite in to turn our house upside down, our home usually feels slightly bent, occasionally stained, somewhat disorganized - yet we are blessed by all the chaos...life, puppies, family, connections and living our God-given dreams.  The chaos means we are living a full and meaningful life." ~ Melissa Michaels