Random Snapshots

If we all were to take random snapshots of each others homes during the week I think we would be shocked, delighted, and maybe just a little relieved.

Right now for example. I have three loads of laundry on my couch, I have Kids church material from Sunday on the Kitchen table, I have dirty dishes in the sink from this AM, and I have paperwork all over my desk. Paperwork to the point of I have two holes to lay my hands in between stuff to type on my computer.

This is not the normal "Cylinda" if you know me- you know that I am a neat freak, I hate chaos, and I have to be organized at all time. If you would have followed me around for the past two weeks you would understand why my house looks this way. And do you know what? I am not going to be ashamed, embarrassed, or worried about it.

I am going to clean it from top to bottom when I am done working today- but it is just STUFF.

Now before you go judging me- I know that some of you have similar times in your life. I think Melani Shock said it best the other day- she had this to say..."I'm much more at peace since I have realized that life will never be balanced. One must learn to let the ebb be ebb and the flow be flow. Don't mourn the absence of balance, just learn to live in the peaceful rhythm created by the natural ebb and flow...they are both seasons of joy."

Seriously I applaud that statement. For years I have been taught, scolded, hovered over, made feel lousy that I am not always balanced. I am here to tell you - you can't always be. But if you sit back and realized that there is an ebb and flow in life you can just well- exhale.

Now don't you feel better already?

This became so clear to me over the past two weeks of chaos of my life when I have had my girls want to have friends come over- I have immediatly said no- have you seen our house? I went to help a sick friend today. She is a single mom and is really sick. She just needed some chicken soup, a hug, a kind word, and well someone to stop by. As I walked in she told me don't come any closer I am sick and I have a dirty house. I said girl if you drive up the street you will see that mine looks like tornado central, so don't even worry about it. I walked into her kitchen and she tried to justify the dirty dishes, the clutter, and the things that were not put away. I stopped her, gave her a hug and said- this too shall pass. Don't worry about the dishes worry about you. You are more important right now than these dishes.

Here is what I DO KNOW- That many of you are in situations that you feel like you are sitting on a record player spinning right round- and you are out of control. In those situations- that is exactly where God thrives. He steps up to the plate and does this for us

Psalm 51:10 (Message)
"God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life."

Don't you see the greatness of this? When we are in chaos- it FINALLY gives room for him to step in and save the day. To make a creative week out of our failings, our inadequacies, and out of the rubble of our feeble attempts.

So maybe you are having a rough week. Maybe you are afraid that an intervention from "The Hoarders" show is about to happen. I promise you it is not. It is a season. Relax, give the situation to him and know that there is an ebb and flow in life.

After that you had better get a move on- because I will be coming by to take random snapshots of your home. (Kidding, sometimes I can't stop myself)

Love you all-

If for some strange reason I don't get to post before Sunday- Happy 12th anniversary John- this has been the best 12 years of my life- and I would still say "I DO" a thousand times over!