Good Mother Sheep

I remembered being very uptight about messes at home. As much as I wanted to be OK with mess, it was difficult for me – and something I had to take time to change.

Yesterday, as I was working in the kitchen with my children, the place did end up in more of a mess than it would have been if I had been working on my own. There were eggshells and vegetable scraps on the floor, we had to use more bowls (food prep), and the toddler ended up with a damp shirt.

The children had such a good time that they did not want to leave the kitchen. Having to deal with tantrums from not having ‘enough’ to do was also something I had to deal with. What could have been a half an hour in the kitchen on my own, became a two hour activity with the kids.

But they were so proud of themselves for making dinner – to welcome their Daddy home from his first day back of work after the holidays with yummy warm food. Needless to say, when their father came home to dinner, he praised and thanked them for all their hard work, and they beamed.

The difference from then and before, is that I have in my head the expectation of ‘a mess’. When I foresee this mess that comes with learning, I am a lot more patient with the children – and I take it as an act of love when I clean their mess up with patience.

I am reminded of my own mess within, and the infinite patience that God has for me. “I am accepted by God as I am–as I am, and not as I should be.” –  Peter Van Breeman, S.J.

I am bound to make mistakes in life as I do my best to cooperate with grace and walk in the way of perfection. I will make mistakes, but above them all, I am still loved for my very being. God has cleaned my mess with His very blood, and He will show me how to work together with Him, as we keep my heart as pure as possible.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10