There is something strange that happens in our house every time I leave. It doesn’t matter how long I’m gone, when I return, my daughter is inevitably wearing her food. All over her pants. It’s like her mouth suddenly disappears and all fine motor skill function is lost and in the presence of messy snack food and fun times with daddy the food is magnetically drawn to her pants.
We have the same problem with bath water that can’t seem to stay in the tub. A kitchen table that is forever sticky despite how many times I clean it. There are little socks and big socks and shoes of all sizes scattered throughout the house. Toys from the playroom sneak out into the living room and suddenly I’m sharing space on my nightstand with Sweatpea Beauty, a handful of miniature hair bands, a half finished juice box and a Play-Do ice cream sundae that is now dried out and unsalvageable.
Our house is a mess. On top of the endless piles of dishes and laundry, we’re also installing a door and gracious – drywall is messy. My car is a mess. A bottle of water rolled across the backseat last night on my way to Zumba and all I could do on the 5 minute drive was think that maybe it might actually make my seat look a little cleaner once I had the chance to mop it all up. It didn’t. But a mama can hope.
But it’s life. Life is happening in the middle of our mess. Giggles and tears, great meals and picnics of fast food in front of the tv. Those splashy bathtimes also include a new found love for Yancy Not Nancy videos as I watch my little one wiggle and sing to worship songs. It’s hard to be mad when my jeans soak up water when her heart soaks up Truth.
I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday today. And if you’re interested in learning how to say “yes” in your mess, I just know you would love Kristen Welch’s book “Rhinestone Jesus” {affiliate link} – just released and a beautiful example of God adding the extra to our ordinary to create an extraordinary story.
Wendy Jenkins says
….her heart soaks up truth. Yes!
Becky Daye says
Oh, that Dr. Seuss quote is fantastic. And the wet jeans made me laugh, because tonight, Ainsley decided to pee on the bath mat before I could get her in the tub and then Lindsay (my 11 year old) knelt in the pee before I could warn her! This is real life isn’t it? So thankful that perfection is not an expectation and that we are safe to be our messy selves and be loved just the same. Thanks, Crystal!
Crystal says
Ha! Oh Becky – it really is life (and that’s a great story to hang on to when Lindsay decides she needs to start dating..snort…)
Mary says
First, any Dr. Seuss quotes are great! Second, the opportunities to soak up truth are such gifts even if messiness is involved. Blessings, Mary!
Crystal says
I was so tickled to find a Dr. Seuss “mess” quote..it was just perfect!
Kimberly A Edwards says
The Mom life such a blessing is it not? I remember those days.
Crystal says
It really, really is 🙂
Angie Ryg says
“Life is happening in the middle of our mess.” Yes, I need to focus on the life that is mine and not on the mess! I need to remember that one day, my floors will be clean and my car will not have crunchy goldfish remnants and I will miss this. Lovely post!
Crystal says
Oh girl. Goldfish. Seriously. It’s like they multiply like bunnies when I’m not looking.
Marie Gregg says
I think a new phrase needs to be coined: the happy mess. Because there are messes, but then there are messes like what you described – the happy mess of living a good, blessed, full life.
Crystal says
I LOVE that! It is a happy mess 🙂 Especially those messes that actually sort of clean things up a little..like all that bath water on the floor 😉
Theresa @ Heavenly Glimpses says
Oh yes, it’s life happening in the midst of mess–memories and truth and depth of life. Great post!
Crystal says
Thanks so much Theresa!
Amy says
Life does happen in the middle of our mess. As I look back at when mine were little I realize the fun times were usually the messiest or at least the times I overlooked the mess that was there.
Crystal says
It’s so true – popsicles, painting, playing in the mud – if it can cause a mess, my kiddo loves it and I love her joy 🙂
Kim@onerebelheart says
Lovely post! Sometimes you have to overlook the mess and just live your life!
Crystal says
Amen!
LoraleeLandersDruart says
Ohhhhhhhh, I like that line! …”Life is happening in the middle of our mess.”
Jennifer says
C-I feel you sister! It is a mess here…it is a blessing here. We live in the real. Go forward and clean…and make a mess…repeat! J
Crystal says
Or in our house “make mess..repeat…repeat…hide all the things in the closet before company comes over” 😉
Rachel says
I love Dr. Seuss…and you captured it perfectly! And yes, how can we be mad when they are soaking up Truth! Beautifully said! Thank you!
Crystal says
Thanks so much Rachel!
Abigail Alleman says
The second paragraph down made me smile. a lot. the BIG socks & little socks…oh yeah!! Daddy taught them how to take them off and throw them wherever 😉 it’s so good to be in the mess together 🙂
Crystal says
It’s amazing how that happens! Those socks can somehow be found everywhere except in pairs out of the dryer 😉
Deanna Wiseburn says
Sometimes the best of life happens in the mess.
Crystal says
So true!
Dawn Paoletta says
Agree with Holly…and I miss my little girl days…even the mess…and especially bathtime splashes.
Kaitlyn says
Well I’ve never in my life heard of Yancy Not Nancy but it certainly sounds better than the Wiggles… not as great as Out Of The Box but I guess “those were the days.” It may not seem like it now, but I bet little miss will remember the dinner picnics in front of the TV. I remember many nights of breakfast for dinner on a big beach towel, the whole family using paper plates, and honestly my mom was probably just tired from a long day with all of us but we thought it was so special! So if you ever feel bad about it, the mess or the fast food or the etc etc. Don’t. She’ll remember the memory – not the mess. 🙂
Angie Ryg says
Friend, Out of the Box was one of the BEST!!! That song…”So long, Farewell, to you my Friend…” LOVE it! Just butting in to say that I knew we had a lot in common! : )
Holly Solomon Barrett says
Life happening in the middle of your mess – that’s the best! You will never regret living the life and overlooking the mess, friend.
Crystal says
Preach, sister 🙂