The Perfect Mess {guest post}

Photo Credit: Caroline Broyles

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

It was an early spring morning and the birds chirped cheerily as the sun rose in the sky.

Cup of coffee in my hand, I sit down in the rocker, on the front porch, to spend a few minutes in the Word.

Being allergic to mornings, this is a rare, but sweet occurrence. To have some quiet before the pitter-patter of little feet hit the floor makes me feel so much better about the day.

And I have big plans for this day. This day we are starting fresh with a new schedule that I have laid out.

This day we are going to accomplish big things.

I am going to smile more. We are going to finish all of our schooling. I am going to take time to play, read books and interact with each one of my blessings. The house will be in order when dear husband comes home to the delicious aroma of the dinner I have cooked.

Yes, I contentedly sigh within, it is going to be a good day.

And then it happened.

“Mommy!” I hear a yell from the upstairs hallway.

“Brother just threw up and it’s all over the floor.”

I run upstairs to find child #2 laying on the floor with fever on his brow.

My plans of the day slip away from my grasp as I assess the mess before me.

The clean-up begins and before the last towel is put in the washer, another child toddles up to me “My tummy hurts”. And so it goes…

Within 2 hours every child is laying on the floor of the den, sick.

And I groan.

What happened to MY plans?

And then I am reminded of the words that I read just that morning.

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

I had my own plans, but the Lord had directed my steps. I had my own agenda and He had said that a different path was better for me that day. I had thought the day would be full of great things, and the Lord was asking me to be content with my two mites and offer those up to Him.

“But, Lord, wouldn’t it have been more glorifying to you if I had accomplished all those wonderful things? Would not it have shown all those who think I am crazy for having so many children, that it can be done? How can this…this chaos bring you glory?”

Soon, I am chastened in my heart as it comes to mind– that His way is perfect. Perfect.

This throw-up mess is…perfect.

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” Ps.115:3

If the Lord has done what pleased him, who am I to complain? The soul thrives best in the Valley of Humiliation. My new direction of the day is to love, comfort and care for these sick ones. This will bring him glory more than my shiny house and hot cooked meal. I may not be teaching them their three r’s today, but I can teach them the compassion of Jesus through my gentle caresses.

I head back into the room with renewed strength and grace to be a mama in just the perfect way the Lord had laid out for me.

*The above story is fictitious, but certainly could have been our home on any given day.

Jenny is an ordinary mom with an extraordinary God. After a beautiful courtship, she has now been married for 16 years. She and her husband homeschool their 7 children (ages 14- 2mo). When Jenny is not teaching, playing with her children, or changing diapers, she loves to sing, write and blog. She has unmatched socks, messy closets and is allergic to mornings. Come and be encouraged, blessed and challenged in your high calling as a Titus 2 woman over at A Mother’s Heritage. You may also follow her on Facebook, or Twitter.